Mate Rimac is undoubtedly the biggest star of Croatian economic development, especially considering the announcements and expectations of business successes he intends to realize. However, waiting for these ventures has begun to create a certain tension in the public over time. Skeptics express doubts regarding his project of innovating so-called robotaxis – autonomous vehicles that are supposed to start transporting passengers in Zagreb by the end of 2025, writes Deutsche Welle as reported by Jutarnji. A few days ago, the European Commission approved the payment of a public subsidy to Croatia in the amount of 179.5 million euros for this project, to Rimac’s company.
In addition to doubts about the timely implementation of the robotaxi project, some media have questioned the broader business of the same entrepreneur, for example, regarding the production of Nevera, a super-fast electric vehicle, and an exclusive product of Rimac Automobili. On top of that, news emerged that Mate Rimac is entering the real estate business in Dubai, together with the Bugatti brand, of which he is a partner and co-owner within the Bugatti Rimac company.
– People here can really enjoy their success and wealth, that’s what I like about Dubai – he said on that occasion, explaining that in some cities in Europe ‘they throw tomatoes at luxury cars’.
Such benevolence towards the luxurious life of the elite, combined with the approval of the aforementioned generous public subsidy, has certainly attracted additional attention to Rimac’s activities. We therefore asked him about ongoing business, first regarding the Zagreb robotaxis, then about indicative diversification of business. Finally, we also addressed media criticism with accents on certain unknowns in his business. Mate Rimac decided to respond to the end of that series of questions, while leaving the topic of the developmental dynamics of the robotaxi project to the director of the separate company responsible for it.
First, we heard an explanation of the relationship with Bugatti, divided into several separate business branches that, however,’have nothing to do with the business of Project 3 Mobility’, the company developing the robotaxi project. ‘Such collaborations between Bugatti and other companies have lasted for decades and have never been disputed – until the Croatian media and public get involved,’ he added, reflecting in a similar tone on his other companies. ‘But in Croatian media, there is a tendency to lump the businesses of different companies and individuals together and to freely interpret information and distort facts,’ Rimac believes.
We were then faced with several examples of business transparency, which is a picture of his company that Rimac clearly cares about. However, it should be noted that just one day after our correspondence, the media discussion about an incomplete annual financial report of Rimac Automobili was somewhat calmed. Namely, the authorized state agency Fina announced that due to an error by its officials, a belief was created about Rimac’s concealment of data that had allegedly been submitted. ‘Of course, there are also those who,’ he continued,’expect us to show signed contracts, payments to our accounts, and blood cells of our customers.’
