Mate Rimac is preparing his boldest move yet: buying out Porsche’s 45% stake in Bugatti Rimac to take full control of the legendary hypercar brand. Just 16 years after starting out by building electric race cars in his garage, the 37‑year‑old Croatian entrepreneur is now positioning himself to own one of the most prestigious names in automotive history, backed by international investors and private equity.
The deal values Bugatti Rimac at around €1 billion ($1.1 billion). Rimac has already made a preliminary offer and confirmed that discussions are ongoing. He expressed frustration with corporate bureaucracy, saying he wants the freedom to make long‑term investments and bold decisions without needing approval from layers of stakeholders.
This marks a dramatic shift from the 2021 arrangement, when Volkswagen transferred Bugatti into a joint venture with Rimac, giving Porsche a 45% stake while Rimac held 55%. At the time, Porsche seemed to secure both influence over Bugatti and access to Rimac’s EV technology. Now, just four years later, Porsche may exit entirely.
The timing is strategic. Porsche is under financial pressure, with sales dropping in 2025, the cancellation of its K1 flagship SUV, scaled‑back EV plans, and a €6 billion restructuring hit. Selling its Bugatti stake would provide much‑needed liquidity and allow Porsche to refocus on its core business.
For Rimac, full ownership would mean creative freedom and independence from Porsche’s complex corporate structure, including the influence of the Porsche‑Piëch family dynasty. This move could redefine Bugatti’s future, potentially steering it toward bold innovations in the hypercar space.