Tesla offers 1st incentive, $1,000 to buyers referred by current Tesla owners

Electric car maker Telsa Motors Inc. is offering its first incentive, $1,000 to new-car buyers who are referred by current Tesla owners.

Owners who make a referral also will get $1,000 in their Tesla account that can be spent on a car purchase, service or accessories.

CEO Elon Musk says the $2,000 is about equal to what it costs to sell a car through a company store and he's passing it on to customers.

New car orders must be placed by Sept. 30 to get the deal. Musk also says the plan is a guerrilla tactic to counter states that have auto dealer franchise laws that don't allow his company owned stores.

Earlier this month Tesla said its deliveries rose 52 percent to more than 11,000 in the second quarter.