Bugatti is recognized globally as a hallmark of luxury, performance, and engineering innovation in the automotive industry. Known for producing high-performance hypercars, the brand consistently redefines speed and sophistication. A noteworthy achievement is the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, which set records in 2019 by achieving an extraordinary top speed of 304.773 mph, making it the first road-legal car to exceed the 300 mph threshold. This accomplishment positions the Chiron Super Sport 300+ as a benchmark in the world of hypercars, exemplifying Bugatti’s commitment to excellence and innovation.
Such accomplishments are not the result of mere chance. They require visionary leadership, thorough planning, and a relentless pursuit of breaking boundaries. What is Bugatti’s path to achieving such success? And, who owns Bugatti today?
Bugatti Ownership: The Bugatti Rimac Partnership
Since 2021, Bugatti has been owned by Bugatti Rimac, a joint venture between Rimac Group and Porsche AG, a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group. Rimac Group possesses a 55% majority stake, with Porsche AG controlling the remaining 45%.
Interestingly, Porsche also owns a 24% stake in Rimac Group, sharing ownership with Mate Rimac (37%), Hyundai Motor Group (12%), and other investors (27%). Despite Porsche’s partial ownership of Rimac, the predominant control of Bugatti lies with Mate Rimac’s Rimac Group. This partnership combines Bugatti’s legacy of luxury and expertise in craftsmanship with Rimac’s forte in advanced electric vehicle technology, paving the way for an exciting future in the hypercar market.
Where Are Bugatti Cars Manufactured?
Bugatti cars are masterfully crafted at the Bugatti Atelier, a state-of-the-art production facility located in Molsheim, France. Established in 2005 during Volkswagen’s ownership, the Atelier is situated next to the renovated Château Bugatti, historically used by founder Ettore Bugatti to entertain clients.
The facility’s inaugural model was the legendary Bugatti Veyron, with 450 units produced between 2005 and 2015. Since then, the Atelier has continued to assemble Bugatti’s flagship models, including the Chiron series, the Divo, the Centodieci, and the unique La Voiture Noire, recognized as one of the most expensive cars in the world.
Looking to the future, the Atelier will continue its pivotal role in Bugatti’s production lineup, with the eagerly awaited 2026 Bugatti Tourbillon, a hybrid hypercar, set to uphold the brand’s legacy of innovation.
Bugatti’s Origins: The Early Years
Ettore Bugatti founded the company in 1909 in Molsheim, a region that was part of Germany at the time but is now located in France. The company quickly became famous for its pioneering engineering and elegant designs. Early models such as the Type 13 and Type 35—the latter being named the most successful race car in history with over 2,000 victories—cemented Bugatti’s reputation for excellence.
Ettore Bugatti’s vision went beyond automobiles. During World War I, the company ventured into aircraft engines and even designed an aircraft, the Bugatti 100P, which never flew due to the onset of World War II.
Tragedy struck in 1939 when Ettore’s son, Jean Bugatti, a talented automobile designer, died in an accident while testing a prototype. This loss, along with financial difficulties post-World War II, led to the company ceasing car production in 1952. Bugatti transitioned to manufacturing aircraft components, and the brand’s automotive operations remained dormant for decades.
A History of Changing Ownership
Following Ettore Bugatti’s death in 1947, the company struggled financially and eventually ceased car production. In 1963, Bugatti was acquired by Hispano-Suiza, which repurposed the factory for aerospace production. In the late 1980s, Italian entrepreneur Romano Artioli acquired the brand, reviving it as Bugatti Automobili S.p.A.
In 1991, Bugatti introduced the EB110, a cutting-edge supercar with a quad-turbocharged V12 engine. Despite its innovation, economic downturns in the early 1990s hampered sustained production. By 1995, Bugatti again faced bankruptcy.
A turning point arrived in 1998 when Volkswagen Group bought the Bugatti brand, investing heavily in its revival. Under Volkswagen’s leadership, Bugatti launched the Veyron, a hypercar that redefined automotive performance and luxury, ushering in a modern renaissance for the brand.
The Future of Bugatti
Under the guidance of Bugatti Rimac, the brand is embarking on a new era of innovation. The forthcoming Bugatti Tourbillon hybrid hypercar symbolizes a blend of state-of-the-art technology and timeless craftsmanship, promising to uphold the brand’s tradition of excellence.
Bugatti’s legacy, crafted by a blend of challenges and triumphs, continues to inspire the automotive world. From its early successes under Ettore Bugatti to its modern resurgence under Bugatti Rimac, the brand remains a beacon of innovation, luxury, and performance.
Conclusion
Who owns Bugatti today? It is Bugatti Rimac, a partnership that combines Rimac’s prowess in electric mobility with Bugatti’s heritage of unparalleled luxury and engineering. As Bugatti moves toward a future of hybrid and electric hypercars, its story is one of resilience, reinvention, and an unyielding pursuit of perfection.
