Rimac Goes Full Circle And Will Power BMW’s Next-Gen EVs

Croatian electric vehicle specialist Rimac Technologies has inked a deal for a long-term partnership with the BMW Group, focusing on high-voltage batteries. Specifically, the company’s engineering division will supply battery packs for BMW’s next-generation EVs, potentially including the Neue Klasse models, although specific details were not disclosed by the two companies. These battery units will be manufactured at the Rimac Campus near Zagreb, Croatia.

It’s a remarkable development, considering that Mate Rimac, the 36-year-old founder and CEO of Rimac, embarked on his journey in 2007 when he built and installed an all-electric powertrain in his E30 BMW 3-Series drift and track car.

Commenting on the partnership, Rimac said that a “substantial portion” of the facilities will be allocated to what they consider “the largest and most ambitious project the company has ever undertaken.” By implementing “sophisticated automated production lines” at the Rimac Campus, the company aims to supply “larger quantities of advanced battery systems” for BMW Group’s products.

More: Rimac Teases Its Second Model, But It’s Not What You Think

BMW didn’t provide details about specific future models slated to utilize the Rimac-sourced battery packs, only mentioning that the project is intended for “select battery-electric vehicles.” These EVs could potentially come from BMW, Mini, or Rolls-Royce, as all three brands are under the same group.

The mutual announcement says that the “two partners will release more details about what form the strategic tie-up will take, as well as its scope and content, at a later stage”.

Mate Rimac, Founder and CEO of Rimac Group, stated:

“My business journey began with a 1984 BMW 3 Series that I converted into an electric car in my garage at the age of 20 so it’s a perfect piece of symmetry to partner with the BMW Group today. This marks a pivotal moment in the growth of Rimac Technology, from humble beginnings to a major long-term partnership with one of the greatest automotive brands in the world. It’s a clear sign of the transition of Rimac Technology from niche high-performance supplier to high-volume production capability. With the relentless growth of our business, including the opening of Rimac Campus, we’re now ready to deliver large-scale projects for the leading brands in the automotive industry.”

Rimac Technology is characterized as a “Tier 1 supplier specializing in automotive electrification.” It operates as a distinct business entity within the Rimac Group, separate from the Bugatti Rimac division. However, both entities are part of the Rimac Group, which is owned by Mate Rimac (35%), Porsche (22%), Hyundai/Kia (11%), and other investors (32%).

The new partnership expands the battery production locations for BMW’s next gen EVs. The growing list includes include multiple factories in Germany, alongside battery facilities in Hungary, China, Mexico, and the U.S. BMW Group hopes that fully electric vehicles will account for over half of its global sales before 2030.

Rimac Technology / BMW Group