Rimac could be preparing to acquire Bugatti

Rimac could be preparing to acquire Bugatti, as the Volkswagen Group is about to carry out the sale. Bugatti may pass into Rimac’s hands through Porsche, provided that it obtains in return a greater stake in the European vehicle that can go head to head with Tesla. Some sources have claimed that the German brand’s executives have already approved the deal but that it has not yet received the approval of the board that oversees it.

Some also say we would not be talking about this ‘merger’ if Ferdinand Piech had not passed away, since Bugatti was one of his favourite brands. But why does the Volkswagen Group want to get rid of Bugatti?

Everything points to the German group no longer wanting to bet on this luxury brand. What it intends is to devote all its resources to financing the investment programme in the future of the automotive industry: electrification, digitalisation and even fully autonomous driving. Another question on our minds is how Volkswagen can break ties with Bugatti without losing the support of the Piech family, which still holds 50% of the group’s shares. The answer is by bringing the Stuttgart brand, Porsche, into the agreement. In this way, both parties would benefit.

The idea is well thought out, since if the future of the automotive industry lies in electrification and not in petrol supercars, why not invest in Rimac? This way it could develop this type of sports car but powered by electricity. It is also said that Rimac could become Europe’s Tesla, but the vehicle sales figures are very far apart. Tesla has produced more than 600,000 units of its Tesla Model 3, while Rimac has only launched the Concept One with eight units and the C-Two, which, for the time being, has not entered production.

Bugatti, Rimac and the future of the Volkswagen Group

If the board overseeing the operation signed the agreement, everything points to Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of Bugatti, possibly leaving. Recently, some media outlets specialising in the subject asked Winkelmann himself and Oliver Blume, head of Porsche, and neither of them responded on the matter. In addition, a spokesperson for Bugatti’s communications department refused to comment on any aspect of the rumours, but did confirm that “the brand had been a positive contribution to the Group over the last two years and that the brand was on track to surpass its 2019 sales”.

For the time being, we will have to keep waiting to see whether any of the parties involved confirm or deny the operation, but we must also bear in mind that possible moves are being studied involving these brands: Lamborghini, Seat, Ital Design, Bentley and Ducati.

It is important to note that negotiations with potential investors, whether banks, private companies or hedge funds, are practically stalled due to Covid-19 and, above all, the increasingly uncertain future of the global automotive industry.