A Bugatti valued at approximately €3 million, reportedly belonging to Croatian automotive entrepreneur Mate Rimac, has been recovered in Austria after it was allegedly stolen near Zagreb. Austrian police arrested a 36-year-old Croatian man suspected of the theft after tracking the vehicle across Slovenia and into Austria.
According to Croatian news portal 24sata, the high-value supercar was stolen yesterday afternoon near Zagreb before the suspected thief fled across the Slovenian border and continued towards Austria. The case quickly developed into an international police operation involving authorities from Croatia, Slovenia and Austria.
Stolen Bugatti Found Near Graz After International Search
The stolen Bugatti was located shortly after 7 p.m. at a petrol station along the A9 motorway near Seiersberg, close to Graz, Austria. Austrian police apprehended the 36-year-old suspect after he entered the country through the Spielfeld border crossing.
The recovery followed cooperation between Slovenian and Austrian law enforcement agencies, which worked together to locate the vehicle and identify the suspected thief.
According to Austrian police, the suspect admitted to stealing the car during questioning. The vehicle was seized and subsequently returned to its owner, bringing the search for the approximately €3 million supercar to a conclusion.
Was the Stolen Car a Bugatti Chiron?
Austrian authorities have not officially disclosed the exact model of the recovered Bugatti. However, earlier reports in Austrian media unofficially identified the vehicle as a Bugatti Chiron.
If confirmed, the car would belong to one of the most exclusive families of modern hypercars. The Bugatti Chiron is renowned for its quad-turbocharged 8.0-litre W16 engine, extraordinary performance and limited production, making it one of the most valuable modern vehicles on the road.
Depending on the version, specification and individual vehicle’s provenance, a Chiron can command a multimillion-euro price. The reported value of approximately €3 million is consistent with the exclusive nature of certain examples, although the precise model and specification in this case remain unconfirmed.
The car’s reported connection to Mate Rimac adds another dimension to the story. Rimac is widely recognised for his work in high-performance electric vehicles and his leadership in the automotive industry, including his involvement with Bugatti through Bugatti Rimac.
Criminal Proceedings to Continue in Austria
Following the recovery of the vehicle, the Austrian criminal police took over the investigation. The Graz public prosecutor’s office has ordered that a criminal complaint be filed against the 36-year-old suspect.
According to the available information, the legal proceedings will continue while the suspect remains at liberty. The authorities have not announced further details about the investigation or disclosed additional information about the circumstances surrounding the theft.
For now, several details remain unconfirmed, including the exact Bugatti model and the full circumstances in which the vehicle was taken near Zagreb.
A Multimillion-Euro Hypercar Recovered Across Borders
The swift recovery highlights the importance of international police cooperation when dealing with vehicle thefts involving high-value cars. In this case, coordination between Slovenian and Austrian authorities helped locate the missing Bugatti after it had crossed multiple borders.
With the vehicle returned to its owner and the suspect identified, the case now moves into the legal process in Austria.
For the automotive world, the incident is another reminder that even some of the rarest and most expensive hypercars can become targets for theft. However, until Austrian authorities confirm the model, the reported identification of the car as a Bugatti Chiron should be treated as unverified.
Honda is taking its off-road racing ambitions to a new level with the Honda Passport Baja Spec, a purpose-built race truck developed by Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US) to compete in the top Trophy Truck class of the 2027 SCORE World Desert Championship. Packing a formidable 1,300 horsepower and featuring technologies developed across Honda’s global motorsport programs, the extreme off-roader will mark a new chapter in the Japanese manufacturer’s long-standing relationship with desert racing.
Behind the wheel will be Bryce Menzies, a two-time Baja 1000 winner and one of the most experienced names in American desert racing. The project combines Honda’s engineering expertise with the knowledge of Menzies Motorsports, aiming to put the Passport Baja Spec against the toughest competition in the world of high-speed off-road racing.
Honda Passport Baja Spec Brings 1,300 HP to Trophy Truck Racing
The Honda Passport Baja Spec is being developed specifically for the demanding Trophy Truck category, where immense power, suspension performance, durability and driver control are essential to surviving the punishing terrain of Baja California.
With 1,300 horsepower on tap, Honda’s new race truck promises to deliver the performance needed to tackle the high-speed desert sections, rocky trails and unpredictable surfaces that define the SCORE World Desert Championship.
Although the project carries the Passport name, this is a competition-focused machine rather than a conventional production SUV with a few off-road upgrades. Honda Racing Corporation USA is developing the vehicle as a dedicated race truck, with its sights set on competing at the highest level of North American desert racing.
Honda says the program will incorporate advanced technologies developed through its participation in several major motorsport disciplines, including Formula 1, IndyCar, IMSA sports car racing and off-road desert competition. The goal is to bring expertise from across Honda’s racing operations into a single vehicle built to withstand the extreme demands of Trophy Truck competition.
Technical specifications beyond the announced 1,300-horsepower output have not yet been detailed.
Global Debut in Los Angeles Before the 2026 SEMA Show
The Honda Passport Baja Spec is scheduled to make its global debut on October 29, 2026, at a private event in Downtown Los Angeles hosted by Menzies Motorsports and Race Service.
Its first public appearance will follow at the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where the truck will be displayed at the Honda Racing Corporation booth from November 3 through November 6.
The SEMA Show provides an opportunity for Honda to introduce the project to the wider automotive and motorsport community before the truck begins its competitive campaign.
The next major milestone is already planned: the Honda Passport Baja Spec is scheduled to make its racing debut at the 2027 SCORE Baja 500. The event will serve as the truck’s first opportunity to demonstrate its capabilities against established competitors in one of the most demanding forms of off-road motorsport.
With Bryce Menzies behind the wheel, Honda will have an experienced desert racer leading the program as it prepares for the challenge.
Honda’s Baja Racing Heritage Dates Back to 1962
Honda’s involvement in Baja racing stretches back more than six decades, predating the establishment of the peninsula’s first official off-road race.
In 1962, Los Angeles-based Honda dealers joined forces with desert-racing pioneers Dave Ekins and Bill Robertson Jr. for an extraordinary motorcycle journey. Riding two Honda CL72 motorcycles from Tijuana to La Paz, the pair completed the route in just 39 hours and 56 minutes.
Their achievement established an influential benchmark for desert riding and helped inspire the development of organized off-road competition in the region. The ride also became part of the history that ultimately led to the creation of the official Baja 1000 in 1967.
Since then, Honda has built an extensive record in Baja competition. According to the manufacturer, Honda is the most successful motorcycle manufacturer in Baja history, with 22 overall victories and numerous class wins.
The company has also established a significant presence on four wheels. Since 2015, Honda’s off-road racing program has accumulated 17 class victories, including four Baja 1000 wins and five Baja 500 triumphs.
The Passport Baja Spec represents the next step in that four-wheel racing story, with Honda preparing to compete in the elite Trophy Truck category.
Can Honda’s Motorsport Expertise Translate Into Baja Success?
The Passport Baja Spec project reflects Honda’s broader approach to motorsport development: using competition across different disciplines to advance engineering knowledge and strengthen its racing programs.
Formula 1, IndyCar and IMSA operate under very different technical demands from desert racing, but experience in areas such as powertrain development, vehicle dynamics, reliability and performance engineering can contribute to a broader motorsport knowledge base.
Baja racing, however, presents its own unique challenges. Trophy Trucks must combine extreme power with the suspension travel, chassis strength and durability required to maintain speed over hundreds of miles of rough terrain. Mechanical reliability is particularly important, as a competitive advantage means little if a vehicle cannot reach the finish.
Honda’s established Baja record provides a foundation for the new project, while Menzies brings valuable experience from the discipline in which the truck will compete.
The 2027 SCORE Baja 500 will be an important early test of how effectively the team can bring those elements together. Further technical details, including the truck’s powertrain configuration and chassis specifications, should help clarify the engineering approach as the program develops.
Honda Passport Baja Spec: What Happens Next?
The immediate focus is on the truck’s unveiling and preparations for its first competitive appearance. Following its October 29 global debut, the vehicle will be displayed publicly at SEMA in Las Vegas before entering the 2027 SCORE World Desert Championship.
Honda has not yet released a complete technical specification sheet or detailed its full race schedule. For now, the headline figures are clear: a purpose-built Trophy Truck, 1,300 horsepower, Bryce Menzies as its driver and a racing debut planned for the 2027 Baja 500.
With more than 60 years of history in Baja competition behind it, Honda is preparing to take on a new challenge in one of off-road racing’s most demanding categories. The Passport Baja Spec will have to prove its potential in the desert, where speed, durability and consistency ultimately matter more than headline numbers.
If the new truck can translate Honda’s motorsport engineering experience into competitive results, it could become a significant addition to the manufacturer’s off-road racing legacy.
Stellantis has reported a modest increase in revenue for the third quarter of 2026, as the automotive group continues to implement its FaSTLAne 2030 strategy and accelerate efforts to improve profitability. Net revenues reached €37.6 billion, up 1% year over year, while the company significantly reduced its quarterly net loss and reaffirmed its financial outlook for 2026.
The group, which owns brands including Jeep, Ram, Fiat, Peugeot, Citroën, Opel, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, and Dodge, is attempting to strengthen its competitive position across major markets while addressing operational challenges, regional sales declines, and rising costs.
CEO Antonio Filosa said the company was making progress with its strategic plan, new product launches, manufacturing improvements, and a rapidly expanding cost-saving initiative. Stellantis also reiterated its expectation of achieving positive industrial free cash flow in 2027.
Stellantis Revenue Reaches €37.6 Billion in Q3 2026
Stellantis generated €37.6 billion in net revenues during the third quarter of 2026, representing a 1% increase compared with the same period last year. Growth in Enlarged Europe and South America helped offset weaker performance in North America, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific.
Both Enlarged Europe and South America recorded 3% year-over-year revenue growth. In Europe, the improvement was supported by higher shipment volumes, while South America benefited from stable volumes and favorable foreign exchange movements.
North American net revenues declined 3%, primarily because of lower volumes associated with planned production downtime. The Middle East and Africa region experienced a steeper 19% decrease, while Asia Pacific revenues fell 7%.
Despite the modest revenue increase, Stellantis reported a net loss of €500 million for the quarter. However, this represented a 90% improvement compared with the third quarter of 2025, when the results were affected by significant financial items.
Adjusted operating income reached €300 million, producing an adjusted operating margin of 0.7%. Although the improvement signals progress in the company’s recovery efforts, the relatively narrow margin highlights the challenges Stellantis still faces in restoring sustainable profitability.
Industrial free cash flow remained negative at €4 billion, although this represented a €300 million improvement compared with the same period last year.
FaSTLAne 2030 Strategy Targets Profitability and Cost Reductions
The FaSTLAne 2030 plan remains central to Stellantis’ efforts to improve financial performance, streamline operations, and align production with customer demand.
One of the strategy’s main priorities is the Value Creation Program, which is designed to deliver €6 billion in annualized cost efficiencies. Stellantis expects to have implemented at least 40% of the targeted run-rate savings by the end of 2026.
The company expects the program to generate several hundred million euros in additional savings during the fourth quarter of 2026, approximately double the amount achieved in the third quarter.
Stellantis is also focusing on inventory management, production planning, and working capital improvements. Total consolidated shipment volumes are expected to increase in the fourth quarter compared with the previous three-month period, while North American inventory levels are projected to converge toward December 2025 levels by the end of 2026.
Management expects pricing conditions to remain broadly stable during the final quarter of the year. However, the company continues to face cost pressures from memory chips and recall-related expenses.
Full-year net tariff costs are estimated at €1 billion, with €600 million already incurred through September. Stellantis also expects approximately €1.6 billion in full-year cash outflows related to charges recorded during the second half of 2025.
Capital expenditure and research and development spending are projected to represent 6.5% of full-year net revenues, consistent with the company’s investment strategy.
Despite these pressures, Stellantis has reaffirmed its 2026 financial guidance and maintained its target of generating positive industrial free cash flow in 2027.
North America: Ram Leads Market Share Gains
North America delivered a mixed performance, with sales increasing 1% year over year despite slightly weaker results in the United States and Canada.
Sales declined 0.3% in both the United States and Canada, while Mexico recorded a substantial 24% increase, rising to 28% when Leapmotor is included.
In the United States, Stellantis outperformed the overall industry, which contracted 0.8% during the quarter. Several models delivered encouraging results, including the Ram 1500, whose sales increased 73% year over year. The Dodge Durango grew 14%, while the Chrysler Pacifica recorded a 6% increase.
The region’s market share rose to 7.5%, up 0.1 percentage points compared with the third quarter of 2025.
Ram was a particularly important contributor to the improvement. The brand increased its North American sales by 30% year over year, benefiting from its expanding product and powertrain offerings.
The results suggest that Stellantis’ strategy of strengthening its core truck and SUV businesses is beginning to deliver benefits in one of its most important markets. Nevertheless, the company must maintain that momentum while managing production levels, inventory, and operating costs.
Europe: Electric Vehicle Sales Surge 65%
Europe remained a key market for Stellantis, particularly as demand for battery-electric vehicles continued to expand.
Sales across the EU30 markets increased 1% year over year, rising to 6% when Leapmotor is included. The Smart Car program was a major contributor, recording 36% growth, while demand for battery-electric vehicles strengthened in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Stellantis reported a particularly strong performance in electric passenger cars. EU30 battery-electric passenger car sales increased 65% year over year, or 93% including Leapmotor. Battery-electric light commercial vehicle sales rose 46%.
Despite the growth in overall sales and electric vehicles, Stellantis’ EU30 market share declined to 14.8%, down 0.6 percentage points year over year. Including Leapmotor, the figure reached 15.6%, representing a smaller decline of 0.1 percentage points.
The company retained its leading position in the European light commercial vehicle market, with a 26.9% share. However, this was 1.1 percentage points lower than a year earlier.
Stellantis is looking to reinforce its commercial vehicle business with the expansion of its Pro One lineup, including the affordable Smart Car Compact Van.
Leapmotor also continued to gain traction in Europe, with sales increasing to nearly four times their level in the same period of 2025. The partnership gives Stellantis another route into the increasingly competitive market for affordable electric vehicles.
Despite these positive developments, Europe was the weakest major region for Stellantis’ adjusted operating margin, which declined by 3.4 percentage points year over year. The contrast between growing electric vehicle sales and weaker operating profitability highlights the importance of pricing, product mix, and cost control.
South America: Fiat and Ram Support Regional Leadership
South America remained one of Stellantis’ strongest markets in terms of competitive positioning, even as regional sales declined.
Sales fell 4% year over year, narrowing to a 2% decline when Leapmotor is included. Stellantis maintained its regional leadership, securing an 18.6% market share, or 18.9% including Leapmotor.
Brazil and Argentina continued to be particularly important markets. Stellantis held a 25.1% share in Brazil and 25.3% in Argentina. Including Leapmotor, those figures increased to 25.5% and 25.6%, respectively.
Several models delivered solid year-over-year sales growth during the quarter. The Fiat Strada increased 13%, while the Fiat Toro recorded a stronger 26% gain. The Fiat Pulse grew 20%, and Ram sales increased 33%, supported by the all-new Ram Dakota.
These results demonstrate the importance of locally relevant vehicles, including pickup trucks and compact utility models, to Stellantis’ regional strategy.
Although the group experienced a decline in sales and a slight deterioration in adjusted operating margin, South America continues to provide a substantial market presence and a strong position in key vehicle segments.
Middle East and Africa: Sales Fall Amid Market Challenges
The Middle East and Africa region faced a more difficult quarter, with sales declining 22% year over year and net revenues falling 19%.
Stellantis recorded a regional market share of 10.1%, down 1.5 percentage points compared with the third quarter of 2025. The decline occurred against an 11% contraction in the overall regional automotive market.
However, the group maintained a strong position in light commercial vehicles, where it achieved a 21.8% market share, an improvement of 2.4 percentage points year over year.
Türkiye was a major factor behind the weaker performance. Difficult market conditions were compounded by a temporary product transition, including the phase-out of the Fiat Egea ahead of the introduction of the all-new Fiat Grizzly.
The start of local production of a small van in October is another part of the company’s effort to strengthen its regional offering.
The upcoming product launches could help Stellantis recover some lost ground, although the timing and scale of any recovery will depend on market conditions and the successful execution of its product strategy.
Asia Pacific: Weak Sales Continue as New Partnerships Take Shape
Asia Pacific remained Stellantis’ smallest and one of its most challenging major regions.
Sales fell 27% year over year, narrowing to a 22% decline when Leapmotor is included. The decrease was driven primarily by weaker performance from the Citroën C5 X.
The group’s regional market share slipped to 0.2%, down from 0.3% in the third quarter of 2025.
Despite the disappointing sales figures, Stellantis continued to make strategic investments in the region. Malaysian production of the Leapmotor C10 and B10 began during the quarter, potentially strengthening the group’s access to regional electric vehicle markets.
The company also established Dongfeng Stellantis Automotive Technology (Wuhan) Co., while Dongfeng Peugeot Citroën Automobile completed a shareholder loan-to-equity conversion in September 2026.
The restructuring is intended to support the development and expansion of two new Jeep models and two new Peugeot models.
These initiatives reflect Stellantis’ efforts to rebuild its position in Asia through local production, partnerships, and a broader range of vehicles. However, the latest figures show that the company still has considerable ground to recover in the region.
What Stellantis’ Q3 2026 Results Mean for Its Automotive Future
Stellantis’ third-quarter results present a mixed picture. Revenue growth remains modest, industrial free cash flow is still deeply negative, and adjusted operating profitability remains limited. At the same time, the sharp reduction in net losses, improving results in North America, and accelerating cost-saving initiatives suggest that the company is making progress toward stabilizing its financial performance.
Electric vehicle growth in Europe is another encouraging sign, while the performance of Ram in North America and Fiat in South America demonstrates the value of strong regional brands and established product segments.
However, the pressure on European margins, declining market shares in several regions, and weak performance in Asia Pacific underline the scale of the turnaround still required.
For the remainder of 2026, Stellantis will focus on increasing shipments, maintaining inventory discipline, controlling costs, and delivering the next phase of its Value Creation Program. The company must also balance these efforts with continued investment in new vehicles, electrification, research, and development.
The most important milestone will come in 2027, when Stellantis expects to achieve positive industrial free cash flow. Meeting that target would represent a significant step toward restoring financial stability and giving the company greater flexibility to invest in its brands and future products.
For now, the third-quarter results indicate that Stellantis is moving in the right direction, but the success of its FaSTLAne 2030 strategy will ultimately depend on turning cost savings and operational improvements into stronger, sustainable profitability.
