“I chose it partly because 8/8 is a lucky number in China!” Musk told user X Michel de Guilhermier Monday. This was after the latter highlighted the importance of this date in Chinese culture.
The date, Musk added, was also chosen because it is his triplets’ birthday. Musk fathered the triplets – Kai, Saxon and Damian – with his first wife, Justine Musk.
I chose it partly because 8/8 is a lucky number in China! Also, my triplets’ birthday, who are now 17.
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 30, 2024
The number eight is considered an auspicious number in Chinese culture. Indeed, its pronunciation is similar to the Chinese word meaning wealth and prosperity. When China hosted the Olympics in 2008, it officially opened the games at 8 p.m. on August 8.
Musk’s interest in Chinese culture isn’t all that surprising when you consider China’s enormous impact on Tesla’s fortunes.
The Asian giant has become an increasingly important part of Tesla’s operations. In April 2023, Musk revealed plans for a new battery factory in Shanghai, according to a report from China’s official Xinhua news agency.
With Tesla’s growing problems with weak sales and declining revenue, the Chinese market is now of vital importance to the company’s survival and growth.
Musk also received a crucial lifeline from China over the weekend, when authorities gave approval in principle to Tesla’s deployment of its fully autonomous driving technology in the country, Bloomberg reported Monday citing a person close to the file.
The billionaire rocked the deal with an unexpected trip to China after canceling a planned trip to India. In China, Musk met with several Chinese officials, including the country’s second-highest-ranking politician, Li Qiang.
Musk’s warmth toward China does not extend to his rivals, however.
Last week, Tesla reduced the price of its Models 3, S, X and Y by 14,000 yuan, or about $1,930. Musk’s company is waging a price war amid increased competition from Chinese automakers like BYD and Li Auto.
“Chinese automakers are the most competitive automakers in the world,” Musk said of his competitors during Tesla’s earnings conference call in January.
“If no trade barriers are established, most of the world’s other automakers will be virtually demolished,” he continued.
Tesla representatives did not immediately respond to a BI request for comment sent outside of normal business hours.
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