November 21, 2018 – A good day in the FT for Mate Rimac, as he is included in the top 100 digital champions of Europe, as well as an in-depth feature on issues ranging from comparisons with Elon Musk to THAT crash by Richard Hammond in his Concept One.
Another good press day for Mate Rimac, whose Croatian electric supercars have taken the motoring world by storm and, despite only having produced less than 10 cars so far, car manufacturing giants such as Porsche have invested millions in the small Croatian car company. Rimac, along with social entrepreneur Nenad Bakic, was one of two Croats included in the FT’s list of 100 digital champions of Europe. Rimac also featured in a comprehensive article about himself and the company he has built. It is probably the best article, certainly in English, that I have come across about Mate Rimac, how he started, how the company is expanding, the Rimac company culture, comparisons to Elon Musk and a little insight into the infamous Richard Hammond crashing of the Concept One.
I have only met Mate Rimac briefly, at the Nikola Tesla EV Rally back in 2016 in Porec, and I was struck – as was the FT interviewer – by his humility and focus. I was also surprised that not only had he heard of TCN, but was very complimentary about the site, which was nice to hear.
Rimac and Bakic are leaders in their fields, and their recognition and success is well deserved. Behind them are a number of other successful Croatians, who are doing so many fascinating things in the IT world, and it is only a matter of time before their names are also recognised on the international stage. It is one of the regions I have hope for Croatia’s future, as I do firmly believe that technology and innovation from the younger generation have the potential to make enormous positive change.
It is hard to believe that Mate Rimac is still just 30 years old. Here is what the FT had to say:
“Not for nothing is Mate Rimac sometimes called “Europe’s Elon Musk”. Both run groundbreaking electric carmakers that have claimed speed records and won plaudits. Both have unconventional manufacturing locations — Tesla in California, Rimac Automobili on the outskirts of Zagreb in Croatia. Not for nothing is Mate Rimac sometimes called “Europe’s Elon Musk”. Both run groundbreaking electric carmakers that have claimed speed records and won plaudits. Both have unconventional manufacturing locations — Tesla in California, Rimac Automobili on the outskirts of Zagreb in Croatia.
“When Tesla launched its first car, the Roadster, in 2008, Elon Musk was 37. Rimac today is just 30, with only the faintest hints of grey flecking his jet black hair. He is not keen, however, on the comparison with Musk. Tesla made 100,000 cars last year, and will hit close to triple that this year. Rimac’s vehicle output so far can be counted on two hands. “It’s an honour to be compared to him,” Rimac says, “but Tesla is much bigger. You might as well compare us to Mercedes.”
Read the full interview with Mate Rimac in the Financial Times.
For the latest news on Mate Rimac and Rimac Automobili, follow the dedicated TCN section.
