Mate Rimac Loses Personal Bugatti Chiron in Factory Theft
A personal Bugatti Chiron belonging to Bugatti Rimac CEO Mate Rimac was stolen directly from the company’s manufacturing facility in Croatia on October 28, 2026. The multi-million-dollar hypercar was taken from the factory compound after the executive left the vehicle keys inside, a habit he maintained due to low crime rates in the country.
The theft nearly went unnoticed until a company employee spotted an unfamiliar driver leaving the grounds behind the wheel of the Chiron. Rimac immediately checked the vehicle’s onboard telemetry app and contacted law enforcement as the car traveled toward the Slovenian border.
High-Speed Chase Across Borders to Austria
With an hour-long head start on the suspect, Rimac gave chase in a fully fueled Porsche 911 parked at the facility. While Rimac hoped authorities would intercept the vehicle before it crossed into Slovenia, the car continued northward into Austria.
Real-time location data from the car’s telemetry system allowed Croatian police to coordinate directly with Austrian law enforcement. According to the article, the suspect stopped at an Austrian gas station, refueled the Bugatti, and drove away without paying. An Austrian police officer was added to the company’s internal messaging group to monitor the vehicle’s live coordinates, enabling police to intercept and stop the stolen Chiron shortly afterward.
Suspect Arrested After Entering the Factory Looking for Work
Austrian and Croatian authorities placed the suspect under arrest at the scene. Bugatti confirmed to Croatian news outlet Dnevnik that the individual was neither a company employee nor connected to Rimac. During questioning at the police station, the suspect claimed he entered the factory looking for a job, spotted the unlocked car with the keys inside, and took it with the intention of driving to Germany without a specific plan.
Security camera footage published by Rimac on social media shows a hooded individual finishing a cigarette near the vehicle before getting inside and driving away. Rimac noted that the car sustained minor damage to the front bumper during the incident. Because every part on a Bugatti Chiron is nearly unique, the vehicle cannot be easily dismantled or have its identity concealed.
Security Protocol Changes at the Rimac Facility
Following the incident, Rimac stated publicly that he will alter his routine and no longer leave keys inside his vehicles on company grounds. While the factory buildings remain secured, the broader compound allowed the stranger to wander in and access the unlocked hypercar.
The suspect now faces criminal prosecution from both Croatian and Austrian authorities due to the extreme value of the vehicle. Rimac publicly thanked the police forces involved, particularly authorities in Austria, for their swift coordination in recovering the car.
Bugatti CEO describes how his $6.3 million Bugatti Chiron was stolen!Who steals a Bugatti? 😅😅Nobody is safe. pic.twitter.com/xptrtoiQPl
Frequently Asked Questions About the Bugatti Chiron Theft
How much is a Bugatti Chiron worth?
Depending on the specific options and factory specifications, a Bugatti Chiron typically costs upwards of $4 million.
Was the stolen car a company prototype or a personal vehicle?
The stolen hypercar was Mate Rimac’s personal Bugatti Chiron, though it was occasionally driven by company engineers for various testing and operational reasons.
Which police forces successfully intercepted the vehicle?
While the chase began in Croatia and crossed through Slovenia, Austrian police ultimately stopped and secured the vehicle after tracking it via real-time telemetry data provided by the factory.