Mate Rimac Eyeing Porsche’s Bugatti Stake in $1 Billion Buyout for Full Control of Hypercar Brands

Mate Rimac in Talks to Acquire Porsche’s Bugatti Rimac Stake in Potential $1 Billion Buyout, Gaining Full Control

Mate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti Rimac, has confirmed he is in discussions with Porsche to acquire its 45% stake in the joint venture, a move that could see him gain full ownership of both Bugatti and Rimac. The potential €1 billion ($1.1 billion) buyout, expected to conclude by 2026, would streamline decision-making and grant Rimac complete creative control over the future of these iconic hypercar brands. This strategic acquisition would cement Rimac’s position as a leading innovator, accelerating Bugatti’s transition to hybridization and advanced electric technology, and marking a new chapter where Bugatti’s legacy is shaped from Zagreb rather than Molsheim or Stuttgart.

Rimac’s Bid for Full Control of Bugatti Rimac

Mate Rimac’s ambition to fully own Bugatti Rimac signals a bold move to consolidate power and vision.

• Acquisition Target: Mate Rimac is negotiating to buy Porsche’s 45% stake in Bugatti Rimac, the joint venture formed in 2021. Rimac currently holds 55% ownership and serves as CEO of both Rimac Group and Bugatti Rimac.
• Motivation: Rimac confirmed talks to Bloomberg, stating his goal is to streamline decision-making and secure full creative control to “make long-term decisions faster.”
• Deal Timeline & Value: Negotiations could conclude by 2026, with reports suggesting a €1 billion ($1.1 billion) offer is on the table, potentially funded by private investors and strategic partners.
• Porsche’s Exit: This move would mark the end of Porsche’s formal involvement in Bugatti’s management, allowing Porsche to streamline its own focus on electric development within the Volkswagen Group.

A New Vision for Bugatti: Hybridization and Innovation

Under Rimac’s full leadership, Bugatti’s future would blend its storied heritage with cutting-edge electrification.

• Hybrid Pivot: Bugatti has already begun pivoting towards hybridization under Rimac’s leadership, a move away from pure internal combustion while aiming to retain its distinct identity.
• “Art of Driving”: Rimac envisions Bugatti continuing to build “mechanical masterpieces,” enhanced by electrification rather than being solely defined by it, preserving the “art of driving.”
• Accelerated Evolution: Full ownership would grant Rimac greater freedom to execute this vision, potentially allowing Bugatti to evolve faster and adopt innovations from Rimac’s engineering division, including its next-generation solid-state battery systems and e-axles.
• Rimac as a Supplier: The Croatian company is also positioning itself as a global supplier of high-performance EV components, not just a hypercar builder.

Strategic Timing and Global Impact

Rimac’s timing for this buyout is strategic, building on the company’s strong technological profile.

• Technological Benchmark: Despite the recent loss of its 0–249–0 mph acceleration world record to Koenigsegg, the Rimac Nevera R solidifies Rimac’s position as a technological benchmark, allowing it to negotiate from a position of strength.
• Blending Strengths: Full ownership of Bugatti would enable Rimac to leverage both brands’ strengths: Bugatti’s luxury craftsmanship and Rimac’s cutting-edge electric technology, to create a new class of hypercars.
• Ultimate Validation: If the deal materializes, it would be the first major European hypercar group led entirely by a founder who built his company from scratch in the EV era, turning a tiny Croatian startup into the full owner of one of the world’s most storied performance marques. The “next era of Bugatti could therefore be shaped not in Molsheim or Stuttgart, but in Zagreb.”

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