Bugatti CEO Mate Rimac shares story of how his Chiron was stolen after keys were left inside

Bugatti CEO Mate Rimac shared an account in a social media video confirming reports that his luxury sports car had been stolen from the company's campus in Croatia after keys were left inside. According to Rimac, the vehicle was later recovered after a pursuit that ended with Austrian police apprehending the suspect.

The Incident and Discovery

Rimac explained that he routinely left keys inside his Chiron and other vehicles because campus employees frequently needed to move or test them. He noted that the open-plan campus features no conventional fences, and the theft initially went unnoticed as staff assumed another employee was driving the car. The absence was discovered only after someone reported seeing an unfamiliar person driving the vehicle away.

Tracking and Recovery

• Location Tracking: Upon realizing the car was missing, Rimac contacted the police and monitored the vehicle's location data.
• Cross-Border Movement: He tracked the car as it headed toward Slovenia and moved into Austria.
• Police Intervention: The vehicle eventually stopped for fuel due to low levels, allowing Austrian police to catch the driver.

Aftermath and Suspect Details

Rimac stated that he later met the suspect at a police station, describing him as a Croatian local in his mid-thirties with a history of trouble, who reportedly visited the premises looking for a job before spotting the unlocked car. While the vehicle sustained some damage, Rimac confirmed it will be repaired and praised the Austrian authorities for recovering it. Although Rimac stated he did not intend to press charges himself, the high value of the vehicle means prosecution will proceed. Rimac acknowledged leaving the keys unattended was a mistake and stated that employees will no longer leave keys inside vehicles around the factory.