Bugatti merges with Rimac to form a new company ‘Bugatti Rimac’

KUALA LUMPUR: The long-rumoured deal between French supercar brand Bugatti and Croatian EV Hypercar Startup Rimac is finally going to happen. Porsche, which owns a majority stake in Bugatti, has settled the deal with Rimac Automobili to establish a new JV named Bugatti Rimac. The CEOs of the two companies signed all the relevant contracts recently, according to which 55% of the JV will be owned by Rimac and the remaining 45% by Porsche. 

Further, the automakers confirmed that the formation of ‘Bugatti Rimac’ will take place in the last quarter of this year with the approval of antitrust authorities. After the deal, Bugatti will be operated at its historic headquarters in Molsheim, France, where it was founded in 1909. Rimac will also retain the existing headquarters for now but it eventually plans to merge the workforce at a $200 million campus in Croatia in 2023. 

Looking at what the companies contribute to the JV, the 110-yr old Bugatti has always stood at the pinnacle of the automotive industry with its long tradition and experience. It brings in all of its know-how in manufacture and craftsmanship, carbon fiber, and lightweight materials, along with a strong network of dealers. On the other side of the spectrum, the young, agile, and fast-paced Rimac is known as an industry pioneer in electric tech both as a technology supplier and an EV hypercar manufacturer with the recent launch of the Rimac Nevera. 

Oliver Blume, Chairman of Porsche AG said, “We are combining Bugatti's strong expertise in the hyper sports car business with Rimac's tremendous innovative strength in the highly promising field of electric mobility. Bugatti is contributing a tradition-rich brand, iconic products, unique quality standards and craftsmanship, a loyal customer base, and a global dealer network to the joint venture. In addition to technology, Rimac is contributing new development and organizational approaches.”

Mate Rimac, founder and CEO of Rimac Automobili stated, “This is a truly exciting moment in the short, yet rapidly expanding history of Rimac Automobili and this new venture takes things to a completely new level. I have always loved cars and can see at Bugatti where passion for cars can take you to. I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am by the potential of these two brands combining knowledge, technologies, and values to create some truly special projects in the future.”

Also read: Meet Bugatti’s new hyper sports car, the Chiron Super Sport