February 16, 2021 – In an admiring new business profile, the most prestigious of British broadcasters looks at Croatian car innovator Mate Rimac BBC comparing him to Tesla's Elon Musk.

In an admiring new business profile, the most prestigious of British broadcasters looks at Croatian car innovator Mate Rimac BBC comparing him to Tesla's Elon Musk.

The Mate Rimac BBC profile is titled 'The hypercar maker who was told to give up his dream' and was published earlier today, Tuesday 16 February 2021. In the article, which is part business profile and part a personality profile on Mate Rimac BBC journalist and business correspondent Theo Leggett describes Rimac automobiles as “some of the most exotic machines on the planet”.

The BBC profile of Mate Rimac and his Rimac Automobili company, from earlier today © BBC screenshot

Direct quotes from the Mate Rimac BBC profile

“Rimac Automobili is best known for building ultra-exclusive electric hypercars,” says Mate Rimac BBC profile writer Mr Leggett.

“The Concept One, first unveiled in 2011, had a top speed of 354km/h (220mph). Only eight were ever made - and one was famously destroyed when the TV presenter Richard Hammond careered off the road during a competition in Switzerland.”

“Its successor the C_Two is even more extreme with a claimed top speed of 415km/h (258mph); able to accelerate from 0-97km/h (60mph) in 1.85 seconds. Due to go on sale this year, it's expected to have a price tag of €2m ($2.4m; £1.8m).”

The rimac C_Two © Branko Radovanović

“The cars are by any normal measure extraordinary. But they form only one part of Rimac's business model. Increasingly the company is setting itself up as a technology supplier to other manufacturers, to help them build their own high-performance electric cars.”

Alongside the obvious similarity of them both building electric cars, it is this expansion of the company's field of vision that prompts the Mate Rimac BBC profile journalist to compare the Croat to Tesla's Elon Musk.

Further along in the Mate Rimac BBC profile, the journalist interviews David Bailey, professor of industrial strategy at Birmingham University.

"Mate Rimac is seen as a real disruptor," says Professor Bailey. "His company has come from absolutely nowhere, their products are really exciting - and they've developed a brand round the hypercars."

As Morski writes on the 28th of January, 2020, the widely popular BBC Getaways programme, dedicated to 2020's most attractive tourist destinations from around the world, was filmed right here in Croatia. The episode which explores the area of Rijeka and Kvarner will be aired ahead of the official opening programme of Rijeka - European Capital of Culture 2020.

British TV presenters Jennifer Reoch and Joe Lindsay will introduce viewers to Rijeka and Kvarner, and the historical significance of Opatija, fondly known as the "old lady of Croatian tourism" and highlight the benefits of health tourism in this particular part of Croatia.

Villa Angiolina will be shown, as will what was once the very first hotel on the Croatian coast, Hotel Kvarner, and a BBC crew will also sail along the Lungomare Promenade.

As it uncovers Rijeka and Kvarner, the BBC programme will showcase some of the main sights of the City of Rijeka, as well as locations included in the European Capital of Culture programme, from the Croatian National Theatre in Rijeka to the Maritime and History Museum of the Croatian Littoral, to the Peek&Poke Museum to Trsat and the famous Trsat castle.

The content of the show will then be further enriched by a visit to the beautiful island of Krk, where the hosts will taste Valomet sparkling wine and present the entire Rijeka and Kvarner region as a year-round destination with a rich and innovative offer to boast.

When presenting the show, presenter Joe Lindsay especially emphasises Rijeka as a city break destination with some high potential and different things to do which are ideal for the British broadcast market.

''I'm delighted with Rijeka and believe that British tourists have yet to discover it. It will undoubtedly become a hit destination of intriguing history that is less well known in the UK. I was happy to discover that Rijeka is home to torpedoes, and I also learned the link between the city and George Von Trapp, which served as the inspiration for the movie "My Songs, My Dreams." Although I'm not a lover of technology, I was fascinated by the innovative museums such as Peek&Poke and the exquisite architecture of the Ivan pl. Zajc theatre. I plan to return again soon, and I especially want to visit the Galeb yacht,'' said Lindsay.

The BBC Getaways show features attractive destinations worldwide, and along with Rijeka, Opatija and the island of Krk, the new season will include destinations such as Menorca, Philadelphia, Prague, Brno, Crete and Seville.

Make sure to follow our travel page for more on Rijeka and Kvarner as Rijeka becomes 2020's European Capital of Culture.