Move FM Global News

PARIS, France: Elon Musk’s dream of offering the public fully autonomous automobiles is coming closer to reality, the Tesla founder said.

Speaking in Paris, he described self-driving vehicles as being the “main driver” of Tesla’s market value.

Meanwhile, Tesla shares rose 3 percent last week, reaching their highest valuation in eight months.

Currently, Tesla has a market capitalization of some $800 billion, making it the world’s most valuable auto manufacturer.

“Although I’ve said this before, I think we will solve autonomy soon,” Musk said at the VivaTech conference.

“The value of the company is primarily on the basis of autonomy. That’s really, I think, the main driver of our value.”

Also, last week, Musk met with French President Emmanuel Macron for the second time in just over a month. France is lobbying Musk to build a Tesla manufacturing plant in France.

While in France, Musk also had lunch with Bernard Arnault, the head of luxury goods giant LVMH.

Arnault and Musk alternately hold the title of the world’s richest person. After a rally in Tesla stock, Musk regained the title some weeks ago.