$35k is the average price of a new car in the US. Bare bones Model 3 gets close to this. The metric has been met even if the frugal and poor complain. That economic cohort can buy a used Tesla in a few years if they can’t afford one new, after someone else has paid the depreciation.
If you compare the Model 3--which is a sedan--to the median sedan sales, you'll see that the price is about $35k for the cheapest Model 3 versus about ~$20k for most sedans. Of course, these prices also generally exclude trim level upgrades, both on Tesla's side and on the more established carmakers' side.
The more expensive cars being included in "average price of a new car" are going to include pickup trucks, minivans, and SUVs. The equivalent model here is (AIUI) Tesla Model X, whose base price would be about $80k, whose competitors are ranging more around $30k-40k base.
You shouldn't be using the X for comparison, but the Y (which is closer to $45k, $55k for the Performance version that puts you close to muscle car territory).
EDIT: (HN Throttled, can't reply, replying here)
I agree there is a premium, but I do not agree it's considerable considering a) people buy a payment and b) we're in a low interest rate environment where people can stretch for a luxury car like a Tesla due to low carrying costs of the auto debt.
Fair enough (I am by no means an expert on the Tesla models), but the general point of Tesla cars having a considerable premium over their comparable market segments does remain.
