Founder Mate Rimac leaves the CEO chair at Rimac to devote his energy to Bugatti while staying on as chairman. Discover the strategic shift now!
After 17 years at the helm of the Croatian electrified‑hypercar pioneer Rimac Automobili, founder Mate Rimac has announced he will step down as chief executive. The move is not a fallout; it is a deliberate shift that lets him concentrate on his second high‑performance badge, Bugatti, where he has served as CEO since 2021.
What changes at Rimac?
Rimac will retain its visionary leadership through a new executive team. Nurdin Pitarević, previously the company’s chief operating officer, is promoted to CEO. Marko Kikljacić, who has been deputy COO, will step into the COO role.
Why the transition matters
Pitarević inherits a brand that has been dubbed “the coolest CEO in automotive history”—a title that now leans toward Bugatti. The challenge for the new Rimac chief will be to keep the momentum of a fast‑growing electric supercar maker while honoring the legacy of its founder.
Rimac’s roadmap to 2026
- Launch of next‑generation electric hypercars that aim to push performance boundaries.
- Development of a solid‑state battery platform that could set a new industry benchmark for energy density and safety.
- Expansion of Rimac’s technology services, leveraging its expertise in powertrain and software for broader automotive partners.
These initiatives form the backbone of Rimac’s next growth phase, positioning the Zagreb‑based firm as both a supercar manufacturer and a cutting‑edge battery technology provider.
A strategic partnership, not a departure
Leaving the CEO desk does not mean Rimac is abandoning its “brainchild.” Instead, Rimac’s board and the founder see this as a strategic allocation of resources—much like European “Elon Musk” Mate Rimac is deploying his talent across two iconic marques: his own Rimac brand and the centennial Bugatti nameplate.
With Rimac’s new leadership in place and Mate Rimac focusing full‑time on Bugatti, the two companies are poised to reinforce Europe’s position at the pinnacle of the global supercar market.