HAWTHORNE, California -- The Tesla Model 3, the company's "affordable" mass-market electric vehicle, is finally here. In keeping with virtually every Tesla unveiling to date, Elon Musk took to the stage a bit later than promised. Likely, his tardiness did not scare off any potential buyers; People have been in line to plunk down a deposit for the Model 3 for days. In fact, demand has been so high, Musk opened up online order forms early -- and to additional countries -- Thursday evening. SEE ALSO: Sign Me Up By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up! While more usable, the body shape is a bit of a drain on the battery range. Tesla designers here at the Hawthorne design studio went a bit more wild with the Model 3. Certainly, the Model 3 looks a lot more premium than the Bolt. Musk's Plan Musk began his presentation with an environmental plea: That carbon emissions are out of control, and that the world needs to transition to "sustainable transport" -- namely, vehicles like Tesla's electric ones. He then revealed the Tesla "Master Plan" for his company to attack such a monumental problem: begin with a high price-low volume car like the company's original Roadster and progress to a "low" price-high volume car like the Model 3. Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable Tesla's other cars, specifically the Model S and Model X, were needed to pay for Model 3 development, Musk said: "For all those who have bought an S and an X, thank you for helping pay for the Model 3." Musk has been talking about the Tesla Model 3 for years. It's meant to compete directly with other mass-market EVs like the upcoming Chevy Bolt. It's not expected to go into production until late 2017. Transcendent There's no denying it: the Model 3 is is an impressive showing. With sporty and premium lines, the thing should have more than Chevy quaking in its boots; Audi, BMW and Mercedes should, too. The Model 3 is the first car to ever truly transcend the car world and reach tech stardom. Admirable, too, is its long range, distinctive tech and safety features. The pricing (at least for the entry-level model) is hard to beat, too. Musk insists the option-less Model 3 will still be a great car. What perhaps most surprised and delights me about the Model 3, though, isn't anything tangible Musk or his Tesla cohort have done tonight. Instead, it's the fervor and buzz they've created for an electric car. I mean, people have been queueing for days and logging online around the world to be one of the first to own a Model 3. It's this sort of enthusiasm that astounds me. It surpasses a traditional car unveiling and moves into the realm of mega tech gadget -- the way people act for iPhones releases. And that's the point. We're getting to a place in the mobility industry where cars -- specifically EVs are literally becoming big tech gadgets. Automakers have been talking about the tech shift inside their industry for a long time. The Model 3 is the first car, though, to ever truly transcend the car world and reach tech stardom. Tesla released several photos of the Model 3 after the event. Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable