Tesla rolls out global customer referral program as EV price war heats up

AUSTIN: Electric-vehicle maker Tesla rolled out a new program globally allowing buyers to earn extra incentives through referrals from existing customers, a strategy long used by traditional automakers to boost sales.

The incentive, which Tesla has dubbed "Refer and Earn" on its websites, is the equivalent to about US$500 (RM2,335) in cashback to new buyers in the US, who buy Model 3 and Model Y, as well as three months of its Full Self-Driving feature.

The program was rolled out in Tesla's largest markets, including the United States, China, Germany, France, Canada, Mexico, Hong Kong and Singapore, according to regional websites.

The company said it would offer new buyers of its Model Y and Model 3 vehicles in China a cash rebate of 3,500 yuan (RM2,258) if they could cite a referral from an existing owner.

In a related development, Bloomberg News reported that Tesla is laying off some battery production workers at its Shanghai plant.

It was not clear how many workers may be let go, or the specific reasons behind the layoffs, according to the report today, citing people familiar with the matter.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The layoffs were first reported by a local online news portal, Deep Analysis, on Thursday, which said that less than 1,000 workers were employed on the factory's two battery production lines.

Tesla's Gigafactory Shanghai, its largest and most productive plant, employs around 20,000 workers, including those in assembly building the Model Y and Model 3. — Reuters/Bloomberg