The founder of electric hypercar maker Rimac and current Bugatti chief Mate Rimac believes top tier supercars will continue relying on petrol engines long after ordinary models switch to batteries.

In remarks to CNBC the executive described exotic cars entering a Swiss watch era where affluent buyers prefer traditional mechanical craftsmanship over cutting edge technology.

He explained that everyday vehicles will mostly turn electric yet the upper tier of sports cars and beyond will retain combustion power for decades mirroring the watch market.

Just five percent of watches come from Switzerland yet they generate ninety percent of industry profits because buyers reject smartwatches even when those offer extra functions and cost far less than two hundred thousand dollars.

Interestingly Rimac launched his electric only firm in 2009 and its debut model the Concept One ranked among the quickest EVs worldwide at launch.

The C Two concept from 2018 evolved into the 2021 Nevera which claimed multiple EV speed marks including a 412 km/h production top speed and carried a price near two million euros or about 3.24 million Australian dollars.

During 2021 Rimac and Porsche created the Bugatti Rimac venture merging the Croatian firm with the legendary French brand known for record breaking petrol hypercars.

The 2005 Veyron led to the 2010 Super Sport reaching 431 km/h while the 2016 Chiron produced the 2019 Super Sport 300 plus that hit 490.484 km/h.

Rimac has ruled out an all electric Bugatti successor to the Chiron whose W16 quad turbo petrol engine defined prior models.

The upcoming Tourbillon instead adopts a hybrid setup pairing an 8.3 litre V16 petrol unit delivering 746 kW and 900 Nm with three electric motors adding 597 kW for a combined 1343 kW output.

Rimac noted the irony of now producing the largest combustion engine globally.

He highlighted the unusual scene at the Croatian plant where the most potent electric car shares the line with the biggest petrol engine underscoring life's odd turns.

The statements arrive shortly after Ferrari unveiled its first electric model the Luce which drew online criticism yet one early example fetched 40 million US dollars or 55.6 million Australian dollars at a California auction.

Ferrari Australasia confirmed its Australian and New Zealand allocations sold out though exact numbers remain undisclosed while global sales reached 13640 units last year far above the 250 unit Tourbillon run starting at 3.8 million euros or 6.2 million Australian dollars before taxes.

Rimac plans to keep Bugatti output in low three digit figures annually and the Nevera saw just over fifty deliveries by May 2024 from a maximum 150 planned with only eight Concept One examples built.

He added that wealthy clients seek personalised vehicles reflecting their identity and stories prompting brands like Porsche Maserati and Mercedes to expand custom programmes.

Rimac aims to build the world's most exciting cars while achieving top profit margins noting that raw speed now matters less than celebrating human craftsmanship and artistry in each vehicle.