Rimac Automobili
Corporate brand
UnclaimedCroatian manufacturer of high-performance electric hypercars and advanced electric-vehicle technology.
Last updated August 21, 2026
Overview
Rimac Automobili is a Croatian automotive company headquartered in Sveta Nedelja near Zagreb. Founded by Mate Rimac in 2009, it developed from an experimental electric-car project into a specialist manufacturer of battery-electric hypercars and a supplier of electric powertrain, battery and control technologies. The company is associated with the Rimac Group and operates alongside Rimac Technology, whose engineering and component activities serve other automotive manufacturers. The company’s roots date to 2007, when Mate Rimac began converting a BMW E30 M3 in his garage after becoming interested in the possibilities of electric propulsion. The converted car, later known as the e-M3, became a development platform and achieved officially recognized acceleration records in 2011. The project attracted media attention, investors and technology partners. Early financing also came from angel investors and the commercialization of proprietary patents, allowing Rimac to establish a company and develop technologies in-house rather than relying primarily on off-the-shelf components. Rimac’s first production-oriented vehicle was the Concept One, an all-electric sports car first shown publicly in 2011 and subsequently produced in a very limited run. Although an initial production target of 88 cars was discussed, the final number was reported as eight. The Concept One established Rimac’s identity as a maker of rare, high-performance electric vehicles and demonstrated the company’s approach of combining high-output batteries, four-motor drive systems, sophisticated torque vectoring and carbon-fibre construction. The track-focused Concept S further developed that platform. At the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show, Rimac presented the C_Two, later renamed Nevera. The production Nevera became the company’s principal model and was positioned as a successor to the Concept One. Its four electric motors, independent all-wheel torque vectoring and high-performance battery system were designed to deliver hypercar-level acceleration and speed while retaining the instant response associated with electric propulsion. The model has also been used to establish performance records in the production electric-vehicle category. Production is planned to be limited to 150 units. Alongside its own vehicles, Rimac has developed batteries, electric drivetrains and related systems for other companies and projects. Reported activities have included technology supplied for the Aston Martin Valkyrie, Koenigsegg Regera, Jaguar E-type Zero and SEAT Cupra e-Racer projects, as well as a technical relationship with Automobili Pininfarina for the Battista. This dual identity—exclusive hypercar manufacturer and automotive-technology developer—has been central to Rimac’s growth. Strategic investment has connected Rimac with major global automotive groups. Porsche acquired an initial minority stake in 2018 and increased its holding in 2021. Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors invested jointly in 2019 to collaborate on high-performance electric vehicles. In 2021, Porsche and Rimac established Bugatti Rimac, a joint venture bringing together Rimac’s electric-performance expertise and the Bugatti brand. Rimac Group holds 55 percent of the joint venture and Porsche holds 45 percent. Rimac Automobili therefore operates within a broader industrial structure rather than as a stand-alone independent hypercar maker. The company has also explored adjacent mobility concepts. It announced an electric-yacht project in 2014 and, in 2024, introduced the Verne robotaxi concept as a separate urban-mobility brand. Verne is designed around autonomous operation, sensor-based navigation, two reclining passenger seats and app-based personalization. The company has discussed an initial Zagreb deployment followed by expansion to other markets, although the proposed launch schedule remains a future plan rather than an established operating footprint.
History
Rimac Automobili emerged from Mate Rimac’s effort to demonstrate that electric propulsion could support extreme performance rather than merely economical transportation. In 2007, while still a teenager, Rimac began converting a BMW E30 M3 into an electric test vehicle. The original combustion drivetrain was progressively replaced and the car underwent several development stages. By 2011, the resulting e-M3 had achieved acceleration records under FIA-related competition classifications, giving the young project international visibility. Rimac Automobili was formally founded in 2009 in Sveta Nedelja, near Zagreb. The company’s early development depended on a mixture of private investment, angel funding and the commercialization of proprietary technical ideas. Its engineering philosophy emphasized integrated development of batteries, motors, power electronics, software and vehicle control systems. This approach enabled Rimac to pursue performance targets that were difficult to achieve with conventional supplier components. The company’s first major vehicle program was the Concept One. It was unveiled in prototype form at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and later developed into a limited production car. The vehicle used an all-electric battery system and four-motor architecture, with each motor contributing to electronically managed all-wheel drive. Only eight production examples were ultimately reported, making the car both a technological demonstrator and a highly exclusive product. The Concept S, shown in 2016, was a lighter and more powerful track-oriented evolution. Rimac expanded its business beyond vehicle manufacturing by supplying electric systems and engineering services to other automotive projects. Its reported work included battery systems or related technology for the Aston Martin Valkyrie, Koenigsegg Regera, Jaguar E-type Zero and SEAT Cupra e-Racer. In 2015, a Rimac-supported electric race car developed with driver Nobuhiro Tajima competed at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and finished second overall, ahead of internal-combustion competitors. In 2018, Rimac entered a technical partnership with Automobili Pininfarina; the Battista was associated with Rimac architecture and powertrain technology. The company’s second major hypercar program was unveiled in 2018 as the C_Two and later renamed Nevera. The production car used a new carbon-fibre structure, four updated electric motors and an advanced torque-vectoring system. It was intended to combine record-level acceleration with sophisticated electronic chassis management. Nevera production is limited to 150 units, and the model has been used in public performance demonstrations and record attempts. Corporate investment accelerated Rimac’s integration into the international automotive industry. Porsche took a 10 percent stake in 2018 and Hyundai and Kia jointly invested in 2019. Porsche raised its stake to 24 percent in 2021. That same year, Porsche and Rimac formed Bugatti Rimac, with Rimac Group holding the majority stake and Porsche retaining the minority. This arrangement placed Rimac’s hypercar and technology activities within a group that also includes Bugatti Automobiles. Rimac has continued to investigate new forms of electric and autonomous mobility. An electric-yacht project was announced in 2014. In 2024, the company introduced Verne, a separate robotaxi concept based on autonomous navigation, lidar, radar, cameras and a passenger-focused interior. Proposed initial deployment in Zagreb and later expansion remain future plans. Rimac’s current identity therefore spans three related areas: limited-production electric hypercars, advanced electric-vehicle technology and emerging autonomous mobility.
- 2024
Verne robotaxi concept introduced
[1]Rimac presents a separate autonomous urban-mobility concept under the Verne name.
- 2023
Japan and Poland operations established
[1]Rimac Tokyo and Rimac Katowice are established.
- 2021
Porsche raises its stake
[1]Porsche increases its Rimac holding from 15 percent to 24 percent.
- 2021
Bugatti Rimac is formed
[1]Rimac Group and Porsche establish a joint venture incorporating Bugatti Automobiles and Rimac Automobili.
- 2019
Hyundai and Kia invest
[1]The Korean automakers invest jointly to collaborate with Rimac on high-performance electric vehicles.
- 2018
C_Two, later renamed Nevera, is unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show.
[1]The new model introduces Rimac’s next-generation electric hypercar architecture.
- 2018
Porsche takes a minority stake
[1]Porsche acquires an initial 10 percent stake and begins a development partnership with Rimac.
- 2017
Concept S and dealer network announced
[1]Rimac presents the Concept S and announces official dealership arrangements in Europe, North America and the Middle East.
- 2016
Concept One production version appears
[1]The production version of the Concept One enters the company’s limited vehicle program.
- 2011
e-M3 sets acceleration records
[1]The converted electric BMW achieves recognized acceleration records in electric-vehicle competition categories.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Products and positioning
Ultra-premium electric performance brand combining limited-production hypercars with advanced automotive engineering and technology supply.
Electric test vehicle · 2007
Rimac e-M3
A converted BMW E30 M3 that served as Mate Rimac’s initial electric test platform. Through successive engineering updates, the car became a high-output electric demonstrator and achieved acceleration records in 2011. It was not a conventional retail product, but it proved the feasibility of Rimac’s battery, motor and control-system approach.
Electric hypercar · 2011
Rimac Concept One
Rimac’s first major electric hypercar program. The production car used four electric motors, a large battery system and electronically managed all-wheel drive. It was initially associated with a larger proposed production run, but only eight examples were ultimately reported, making it an extremely limited halo vehicle.
Track-focused electric hypercar · 2016
Rimac Concept S
A lighter, more powerful and more aerodynamic development of the Concept One. The Concept S was presented as a track-oriented demonstrator with higher output and sharper performance characteristics, showing how Rimac could adapt its electric architecture for circuit use.
Electric hypercar · 2018
Rimac Nevera
The production successor to the Concept One, originally shown as the C_Two. Nevera uses four electric motors, independent torque vectoring, a carbon-fibre structure and a high-performance battery system. Its claimed performance places it among the fastest production electric vehicles, while planned production is limited to 150 units.
Automotive technology
Rimac Technology systems
Battery systems, electric drivetrains, power electronics and related vehicle-control technologies developed for automotive customers and partner projects. Reported applications include systems associated with Aston Martin, Koenigsegg, Jaguar, SEAT Cupra and Automobili Pininfarina.
Autonomous robotaxi concept · 2024
Verne
A separate urban-mobility concept introduced in 2024. The vehicle is designed without conventional driver controls, uses lidar, cameras, radar and other sensors, and provides two reclining passenger seats with service personalization through a mobile application.
Brand decisions
2024
Launch of the Verne mobility conceptStrategyBackground
Rimac expanded its interests beyond limited-production cars toward autonomous urban transportation.
Action taken
The company introduced Verne as a dedicated robotaxi concept with app-based passenger services.
Aftermath
The proposed service was associated with a future Zagreb launch and later international expansion, subject to development and regulatory execution.
2021
Formation of Bugatti RimacM&ABackground
Volkswagen Group and Porsche sought a structure for the future of the Bugatti brand while Rimac was becoming a major electric-performance specialist.
Action taken
Porsche and Rimac formed Bugatti Rimac, with Rimac Group holding 55 percent and Porsche holding 45 percent.
Aftermath
Rimac became part of a joint venture combining electric hypercar technology with Bugatti’s established luxury-performance brand.
2019
Hyundai and Kia strategic investmentM&ABackground
Hyundai and Kia were expanding their capabilities in high-performance electric vehicles.
Action taken
The two companies jointly invested in Rimac and announced collaboration on high-performance electric vehicles.
Aftermath
The investment reinforced Rimac’s position as a technology partner to major vehicle manufacturers.
2018
Porsche investment and development partnershipM&ABackground
Porsche sought closer cooperation with Rimac as part of its broader electrification activities.
Action taken
Porsche Engineering Group acquired an initial 10 percent stake in Rimac and entered a development partnership.
Aftermath
The relationship deepened through a later increase in Porsche’s stake and the creation of Bugatti Rimac.
Recent events
- 2024
Rimac introduces the Verne robotaxi concept[1]
Product launch
Rimac presented Verne, an autonomous urban robotaxi concept intended to operate through a dedicated mobility service and smartphone application.
- 2023
Rimac establishes Tokyo and Katowice operations[1]
Other
Rimac Tokyo in Japan and Rimac Katowice in Poland were established as part of the company’s international expansion.
- 2021
Porsche increases its Rimac stake[1]
M&A
Porsche increased its holding in Rimac from 15 percent to 24 percent, strengthening the companies’ electrification partnership.
- 2021
Bugatti Rimac joint venture is announced[1]
M&A
Porsche and Rimac announced a joint venture combining Bugatti Automobiles and Rimac Automobili; Rimac Group holds 55 percent and Porsche 45 percent.
- 2019
Hyundai and Kia invest in Rimac[1]
M&A
Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors jointly invested in Rimac to collaborate on high-performance electric vehicles.
- 2018
Porsche acquires a minority stake in Rimac[1]
M&A
Porsche Engineering Group acquired a 10 percent stake in Rimac and formed a development partnership focused on electrification.
Sources2 sources
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