Apple handles this a lot better, they get applause and cheers, but it always seems to be at the right time. Is it because their audience is apple employees highly trained to give feedback on cue?
I think a lot of people in the audience had just spent 1000$ on a reservation and they needed to rationalise.
Considering that the $1,000 is fully refundable with no fuss, I don't think there's much need for rationalization.
This audience seems to be anyone who'd pre-ordered the model 3, so the general (Bay Area?) public. As a result it sounds like a terrible mix between an American stand-up show, a rock concert and a cheesy sitcom where everyone applauds when the main character coughs. Hence also everyone videoing the event on their phones - it's not even like a gig where you'd have to pay for the video...
(They also do this at Apple, but people seem to be a lot more covert about recording.)
It doesn't matter though, the Model 3 would still be just as promising with or without the audience participation.