Bugatti is owned through Bugatti Rimac, the company set up in 2021 as the home of the Bugatti brand, which is led by Mate Rimac. Until 2026, Rimac Group held 55% of Bugatti Rimac and Porsche AG 45%. In April 2026 Porsche agreed to sell its Bugatti Rimac stake and its Rimac Group stake to a consortium led by New York-based HOF Capital, with BlueFive Capital as its largest investor, and Bugatti said on 9 September 2026 that the deal had been completed. Porsche no longer holds a stake.
Who owns it
What changed in 2025-26
Porsche’s chief executive, Michael Leiters, said the sale showed Porsche would focus on its core business, after helping build Rimac Technology into an established automotive technology supplier.
Bugatti announced on 9 September 2026 that the acquisition of Porsche’s shareholdings by the HOF Capital-led consortium had been completed. Bugatti put Porsche’s former Rimac Group holding at 21%.
With the deal closed, Christophe Piochon stepped down as President of Bugatti Automobiles and Chief Operating Officer of Bugatti Rimac. Marko Brkljačić, previously Chief Operating Officer at Rimac Technology, was named to join as Chief Operating Officer.
Bugatti opened its new La Manufacture production facility in Molsheim in July 2026, while the Tourbillon hypercar entered the final stage of testing.
Bugatti's owners over time
What it means for you
- For investors: Bugatti is no longer reachable through Volkswagen or Porsche shares; its new owners are private.
- For buyers and collectors: the brand is now steered by Mate Rimac's team, which also runs production and the Tourbillon programme.
- For operators: note how a carmaker exits a stake it helped build once the asset no longer fits its core business.
- For builders: Rimac's path from electric supercar start-up to Bugatti's controlling side shows how technology can buy a seat at a heritage brand.
- Check any Bugatti ownership chart dated before September 2026: most still show Porsche at 45%.
Heritage luxury brands are being re-paired with technology owners and private capital as old industrial groups focus on their core business. The Business Engineer reads Bugatti’s move from Volkswagen to Porsche to a founder-led group backed by investors as a case of the brand following the capability.
Read: luxury empires →Explore the platform →Related: Who owns Porsche · Who owns Lamborghini · Who owns Bentley · Volkswagen brands · Who owns Ferrari
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Bugatti now?
Bugatti belongs to Bugatti Rimac. Since September 2026, when Porsche's sale was completed, its owners are Rimac Group and a consortium led by HOF Capital, with BlueFive Capital as its largest investor.
Does Volkswagen still own Bugatti?
No. Bugatti was revived under the Volkswagen Group in 1998. From 2021 Porsche held 45% of Bugatti Rimac, but Porsche sold that stake in a deal completed in September 2026.
Who is Bugatti's CEO?
Mate Rimac, founder of Rimac, is chief executive of Bugatti Rimac and, since the 2026 ownership change, also President of Bugatti Automobiles.
How much did the HOF Capital consortium pay?
The parties agreed to keep the financial terms confidential, except where disclosure is required under financial reporting rules.
Sources
- Porsche AG (24 April 2026), Porsche sells its stakes in Bugatti Rimac and Rimac Group to international consortium
- Bugatti (9 September 2026), Bugatti Rimac completes ownership transition, confirms new leadership team
- Bugatti (2019), 110 years of Bugatti
The full guide
The complete explainer, cleaned up and reformatted for mobile.
Formerly part of the Volkswagen Group, which owns iconic brands like Lamborghini, Bentley, and Ducati. Thus, the brand has been spun out from Volkswagen. A majority stake of 55% is now owned by the Croatian electric supercar startup Rimac.
Additional Ownership Details
- Corporate Structure and Ownership: Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. is owned by a joint venture between Rimac Group and Porsche AG. As of November 2021, Rimac Group holds a 55% stake, while Porsche AG holds a 45% stake in the newly formed company Bugatti Rimac. This joint venture leverages the strengths of both Rimac’s electric technology and Porsche’s extensive automotive expertise to drive Bugatti’s future innovations.
- History and Evolution: Bugatti was originally founded in 1909 by Ettore Bugatti in Molsheim, France. The brand became renowned for its high-performance cars and elegant designs. However, it faced financial difficulties and ceased operations in the mid-20th century. Bugatti was revived several times before Volkswagen AG acquired the brand in 1998, establishing Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. in Molsheim, France. Under Volkswagen’s ownership, Bugatti produced iconic models like the Veyron and Chiron, setting new standards for performance and luxury. In 2021, Volkswagen transferred Bugatti to the new joint venture with Rimac and Porsche, marking the beginning of a new era for the brand.
- Business Model and Revenue Streams: Bugatti operates a luxury automotive business model focused on the design, manufacturing, and sale of high-performance sports cars. The company generates revenue through:
- Vehicle Sales: Selling ultra-luxury, high-performance sports cars such as the Chiron, Divo, and upcoming models under the new joint venture.
- Customization and Bespoke Services: Offering personalized customization options for clients, allowing for highly individualized vehicles.
- Merchandising and Brand Licensing: Licensing the Bugatti brand for luxury merchandise and collaborations with other high-end brands.
- Key Products and Innovations: Bugatti’s product lineup includes some of the most advanced and exclusive sports cars in the world. Key models include:
- Bugatti Veyron: Known for being one of the fastest production cars in the world upon its release.Bugatti Chiron: Successor to the Veyron, pushing the boundaries of performance with a top speed of over 300 mph.Bugatti Divo: A limited-edition hypercar focused on agility and handling.
- Technological Innovation: Bugatti is at the forefront of automotive innovation, focusing on maximizing performance through cutting-edge technology. This includes:
- High-Performance Engines: Development of powerful W16 engines with advanced turbocharging systems.Lightweight Materials: Use of carbon fiber and other advanced materials to reduce weight and improve performance.Electric and Hybrid Technology: Leveraging Rimac’s expertise in electric powertrains to develop next-generation Bugatti models.
- Brand Positioning and Marketing: Bugatti positions itself as the pinnacle of automotive luxury and performance. The brand’s marketing strategy includes:
- High-Profile Launch Events: Unveiling new models at prestigious automotive shows and exclusive events.Collaborations and Partnerships: Partnering with other luxury brands and high-profile individuals to enhance brand prestige.Digital and Social Media: Engaging with enthusiasts and potential clients through digital platforms and social media, showcasing the brand’s innovation and exclusivity.
Inside the Volkswagen’s family of brands before the Bugatti’s spin-off
Formerly part of the Volkswagen Group, which owns iconic brands like Lamborghini, Bentley, and Ducati.

The Volkswagen Group is a massive car maker comprising three main types of brands: volume, premium, and sport.

Before Bugatti was spun off from the group, it was part of the premium brands, just like Lamborghini.
Yet, by 2021, things changed.
We must look at how Volkswagen Group ownership is organized to understand this change.
As I explained, the Volkswagen Group is a massive car maker, which is 2021, generated over €250 billion in revenue across its various brands.

The Volkswagen Group is owned by the Porsche family via the Porsche Automobil Holding SE.

The Porsche family, thus, spun off Bugatti from Volkswagen, and while the family kept an essential stake in the brand, a new joint venture was created to manage it.
Inside the Bugatti’s joint venture after the spin-off

As explained by Rimac Group, the new holding that controls Bugatti, the newly-formed Rimac Group will be the major shareholder with a 55% stake.
Why this re-organization?
Well, Bugatti is going through a rehaul, where its combustion engine will, over time, be supplanted by an electric engine.
And Rimac, which innovates in electric sports cars, is leading the process.
Thus, trying to transform a classic combustion sports car company into an electric sports car player.
From here, the spin-off from Volkswagen Group and the new development within Rimac Holding.
How does the joint venture work?
On their hand, Rimac Group will own 100% of the technologies used to revamp Bugatti’s brand.
Thus the joint venture works in two directions. The Porsche family keeps tight control over the Bugatti brand.
While the companies involved in the joint venture will instead have the ownership of the technologies developed throughout the joint venture to revamp the Bugatti brand.
History of Bugatti
Bugatti is a French maker of luxury sports cars that are some of the fastest in the world. The company – which is formally known as Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. – was founded in 1998 as a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group.
However, the company’s heritage extends back to 1909 when Ettore Bugatti first established the Bugatti automobile brand in Molsheim, France. The brand’s spiritual home (and indeed the company headquarters) remains in Molsheim today, but much has transpired since it was first started over a century back.
Founding
Ettore Bugatti was an Italian-born industrial designer and a noted perfectionist who desired nothing but the best for his cars, customers, company, and himself.
It was an exciting time for the automotive industry in the early twentieth century, but Bugatti was a visionary who started making cars that were small, light, and nimble. These were well suited to the racetrack, with a Bugatti finishing second at the 1911 French Grand Prix.
Many of these cars embodied aesthetic values that were inspired by Bugatti’s father Carlo – a well-known artist, designer, and silversmith whose furniture is especially well-known. The Type 13 Brescia, for example, incorporated an egg-shaped radiator grill based on Carlo’s belief that the shape of an egg was nature’s most perfect form.
Pivot to passenger vehicles
Bugatti then turned his attention to passenger vehicles with the Type 41 Royale.
The Type 41 Royale was a powerful and luxurious vehicle (even by today’s standards) and was marketed to royalty, aristocrats, and heads of state. But in the post-Depression era of the 1930s, only 3 were ever sold from a production run of 6 and it became a commercial failure.
With a surplus of parts, the Type 41’s engine was later repurposed into one of the world’s first modern, high-speed trains. Known as the Autorail Bugatti, the train featured Bugatti’s unmistakable design principles and could reach speeds of 172 km/h.
Post-World War II
Then part of Germany, Bugatti’s Molsheim factory was destroyed during the war, and, in any case, the company lost access to the property.
Bugatti himself planned to start a factory in Paris and had several new models in the pipeline, but he died in August 1947. The company started on a long and slow decline thereafter and made its last appearance as a functional business at the Paris Motor Show in 1952.
Revival
After several failed attempts to revive the brand in the 50s and 60s, entrepreneur Romano Artioli acquired the brand in 1987 and commissioned the construction of a new factory in Modena, Italy.
The company became known as Bugatti Automobili S.p.A. and debuted a super sports car called the EB 110 soon after. However, Artioli only managed to sell 140 cars before unfavorable economic conditions forced him to file for bankruptcy.
Volkswagen acquisition
Volkswagen acquired Bugatti in 1998 for $50 million, and in 2000, premiered the EB 16/4 Veyron at motor shows in Paris, Geneva, and Detroit.
Named after French racing driver Pierre Veyron, the eight-liter, W-16 Veyron would later usher in a new era in the development of supercars. It also positioned the Bugatti brand once more as one that embodied Ettore Bugatti’s painstaking attention to detail and bold ambition.
When the last Veyron was sold in 2015, Bugatti revealed a new mid-engine, two-seater model called the Chiron.
Joint-venture with Rimac
In November 2021, Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. became part of Bugatti Rimac, a joint venture between Croatian EV manufacturer Rimac Group and Porsche AG. The JV would be headed by Rimac founder and CEO Mate Rimac with his company taking a 55% stake in Bugatti. Porsche, as a strategic shareholder, took the remaining 45%.
A Rimac representative noted that “Bugatti and Rimac will both continue as separate respective brands, retaining existing production facilities and distribution channel — as explored in how AI is restructuring the traditional value chain — s”. Bugatti in particular would also benefit from Rimac’s expertise in building electric supercars,
Key takeaways
- Bugatti is a French maker of luxury sports cars that are some of the fastest in the world. The company – which is formally known as Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. – was founded in 1998 as a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group.
- The company’s heritage extends back to 1909 when Ettore Bugatti first established the Bugatti automobile brand in Molsheim, France. Bugatti’s early vehicles were successful on the track, but the Type 41 Royale was a commercial failure and the company slid into decline after Bugatti himself died in 1947.
- The Bugatti brand sat mostly idle for 40 years before it was revived by entrepreneur Romano Artioli. After he went bankrupt, Volkswagen acquired it in 1998 before it was purchased by Croatian EV maker Rimac as part of a joint venture.
Key Highlights
- Bugatti’s History and Acquisition by Volkswagen Group:
- Bugatti, formally known as Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S., was founded in 1998 as a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group.
- The brand’s origins trace back to 1909 when Ettore Bugatti established the Bugatti automobile brand in Molsheim, France.
- Bugatti initially focused on small, light, and nimble cars suited for racing, with notable success at events like the 1911 French Grand Prix.
- Ettore Bugatti’s attention later turned to passenger vehicles, culminating in the creation of the Type 41 Royale, an opulent and powerful car that faced limited commercial success due to economic conditions.
- After World War II, the brand’s decline continued, and it eventually ceased operations in the 1950s.
- Revival and Volkswagen Acquisition:
- Entrepreneur Romano Artioli acquired Bugatti in 1987 and attempted to revive the brand, introducing the EB 110 super sports car.
- Economic challenges led to Artioli’s bankruptcy, and in 1998, the Volkswagen Group acquired Bugatti for $50 million.
- Volkswagen introduced the EB 16/4 Veyron in 2000, marking a resurgence in Bugatti’s presence and innovation in the supercar industry.
- The Veyron, named after French racing driver Pierre Veyron, featured a W-16 engine and garnered attention for its engineering and performance prowess.
- Joint-Venture with Rimac and Porsche:
- In November 2021, Bugatti became part of Bugatti Rimac, a joint venture between Croatian electric vehicle manufacturer Rimac Group and Porsche AG.
- Porsche held a strategic 45% stake in the joint venture, indicating its involvement in shaping Bugatti’s future direction.
- Both Bugatti and Rimac maintained their separate brand identities, production facilities, and distribution channels.
- Electric Future and Expertise:
- The joint venture with Rimac positioned Bugatti to leverage Rimac’s expertise in building electric supercars.
- Bugatti’s move toward electric power aligns with the broader industry trend and showcases the brand’s commitment to innovation while maintaining its luxury and performance ethos.
- Ownership Structure and Control:
- The ownership structure of Bugatti changed significantly, with Porsche holding a 45% stake and Rimac Group owning a controlling 55% stake in the Bugatti Rimac joint venture.
- The Porsche family, which also controls the Volkswagen Group, holds sway over Bugatti’s future direction through its involvement in the joint venture.
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