How a garage tinkerer became a millionaire with electric cars?
You may have heard of Rimac Automobili, the Croatian company that makes some of the fastest and most advanced electric vehicles in the world. But do you know the story behind its founder, Mate Rimac?
Mate was always fascinated by cars and technology. As a teenager, he would spend hours in his dad's garage, modifying and improving his old BMW E30. He even entered it in a local drag race, where he competed against much more powerful cars.
But one day, his BMW caught fire and burned to the ground. Mate was devastated, but he didn't give up on his passion. He decided to rebuild his car from scratch, but this time with an electric motor and batteries.
He had no formal training or experience in engineering, but he learned everything he could from books, online forums and trial and error. He also faced many challenges, such as finding parts, suppliers and funding. He had to deal with skepticism, bureaucracy and legal issues. He had to work long hours and make many sacrifices.
He managed to finish his project in 2009, and his electric BMW became the fastest car in Croatia. It also attracted the attention of the media and investors, who saw the potential of his innovation.
Mate then founded Rimac Automobili, with the vision of creating the ultimate electric supercar. He started with a small team of enthusiasts in a rented workshop, but soon expanded to a larger facility and hired more experts.
In 2011, he unveiled his first prototype, the Concept One, which had 1,088 horsepower and could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds. It was a breakthrough in electric car technology, and it impressed many people in the industry.
Since then, Rimac has grown to become a leader in electric vehicle development, working with major brands like Porsche, Hyundai and Aston Martin. It has also produced more models, such as the Concept Two and the Nevera, which are among the fastest and most advanced cars ever made.
Mate Rimac is an inspiring example of how passion, perseverance and creativity can lead to success. He went from his dad's garage to becoming a millionaire with electric cars, and he shows no signs of slowing down.
