Mate Rimac's $3.3M Bugatti Chiron stolen from factory after keys left inside

How the theft happened

Mate Rimac, founder and CEO of Rimac Group—the parent company of Bugatti—left the keys inside his $3.3 million Bugatti Chiron while the vehicle was unattended at the company’s factory in Croatia. Rimac reportedly followed a common practice of leaving keys in the car, citing Croatia’s perceived safety.

The theft occurred on October 29, when a man in his mid-30s, visiting the factory for a job application, allegedly took the keys and drove off in the car. The thief evaded initial attempts to intercept him at a gas station and crossed the border into Slovenia.

International pursuit and recovery

Croatian and Slovenian police collaborated to track and apprehend the thief. According to reports, the thief intended to drive the Bugatti Chiron to Germany, though his motives remain unclear.

The car was recovered, and Rimac has since regained possession of the vehicle. In a statement, he joked about the incident, vowing never to leave his keys in the car again.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

For founders and operators in the automotive and luxury sectors, this incident underscores the vulnerabilities even high-security environments can face. While Croatia is considered low-risk for theft, the ease with which the vehicle was stolen—simply by accessing unattended keys—highlights the need for robust security protocols, especially for high-value assets.

The cross-border pursuit also demonstrates the importance of international cooperation in recovering stolen goods, a consideration for companies with global operations or supply chains. For Rimac Group, a leader in electric hypercars and automotive technology, this serves as a reminder that security measures must evolve alongside the value of the products they develop.

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