Bugatti CEO's Chiron Stolen from Factory and Tracked Across Borders
Mate Rimac chased his stolen hypercar in a Porsche 911 after it was driven away from the company's facility in Croatia.
A Bugatti Chiron belonging to company CEO Mate Rimac was stolen from the automaker's facility near Zagreb, Croatia, sparking an international police pursuit across three countries. The incident began when the hypercar, valued at approximately $3 million, was taken from the campus with the ignition key left inside.
Rimac explained that he intentionally kept the keys inside the vehicle to allow staff members to easily move it around the factory grounds and conduct tests. Security cameras captured a suspect, who had reportedly visited the facility looking for employment, walking around the area before discovering the key inside the Chiron.
An employee noticed the luxury vehicle departing the premises at high speed. Because colleagues frequently drive the car for operational purposes, it took about an hour for the team to verify that an unauthorized driver was behind the wheel. Once the theft was confirmed, authorities were notified immediately.
Equipped with a full tank of gas, Rimac set off in pursuit driving his own Porsche 911. Meanwhile, the Chiron's advanced telemetry system provided real-time updates regarding its precise location, speed, and fuel levels. Rimac and his team shared these ongoing updates through a messaging group that included a police officer.
The suspect drove the vehicle through Slovenia and crossed into Austria while running low on fuel. According to Rimac, the driver stopped at a gas station in Austria, pumped about half a tank of fuel, and drove away without paying for it.
The cross-border chase concluded when Austrian law enforcement intercepted the vehicle near Graz, Austria's second-largest city, aided by the continuous location tracking provided by the manufacturer's telemetry network. The hypercar sustained minor damage to its front bumper during the ordeal.
Rimac stated that he ultimately decided not to press charges because he felt sympathy for the individual involved, though the driver is still expected to face legal consequences due to the high value of the stolen vehicle. Following the incident, the executive noted that the company will change its security practices and no longer leave vehicle keys unattended around the factory.