How to get Tesla's Elon Musk to give you $1,000
Tesla Motors Inc. on Wednesday unveiled a referral program to give $1,000 to new car buyers who use a referral link from a previous buyer. The current Model S owner would get $1,000 off a new car, services, or accessories, Chief Executive Elon Musk said in a conference call. It costs Tesla about $2,000 to sell a car through its stores, and if the company can "amplify word of mouth, then we don't need to open as many new stores in the future," the company said in a statement. During the call, Musk said the company would still open new stores, although depending on the success of the program perhaps not as many. The move is also part of a "guerrilla battle" with car dealers, Musk said. Tesla sells its cars directly to customers, bypassing dealerships, and it is barred from doing so in some states such as Texas and West Virginia. Each Tesla owner can give friends up to 10 $1,000 discounts. Owners with five referrals will be invited to tour Tesla's "gigafactory" outside Reno, Nev., and attend the grand opening party. At 10 orders, customers will get the right to purchase a Founder Series Model X, which is not available to the public, with all options free. The first customer to reach 10 referrals will get the entire car for free. Shares of Tesla turned lower after the unveiling. The Model S electric sedan starts at $70,000.
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