There’s the automotive world that nearly all of us know. It’s the one where you go to a dealership (or Amazon) to look at cars, and for those who can afford them, buy something new from the vehicles in stock. Even luxury automakers like Mercedes and BMW are engaged in a constant marketing battle, trying to generate a steady stream of foot traffic through the door.
Then there’s the other world, where brands like Bugatti live. You don’t need foot traffic when you have a Tourbillon producing 1,800 horsepower from a naturally aspirated V16 and three electric motors. It can rip from zero to 60 mph in two seconds, and with the special speed key inserted, it maxes out at 276 mph. Reported build costs exceed $4 million, but even if you have that in cash ready to go, Bugatti can’t accommodate your request. You’re going to have to wait in line, possibly for a very long time.
CarBuzz spoke to Bugatti Director of Design Frank Heyl at Monterey Car Week 2025. He confirmed that Bugatti is in a very good spot at the moment. The brand isn’t under any pressure to consider any wild new ventures to generate cash. With its current production capacity, Bugatti can’t build you a new car for at least four years.
“So, building 250 Tourbillons. Now delivering the finalist trials. The final Bolide…[all that] is going to keep us busy with our capacities until 2029 and sold out until 2029. If you have this [financial stability] as a business owner, it works out very solid. Then you know, you can plan ahead. It’s all set.”
– Frank Heyl, Bugatti director of design
Bugatti is building a new production facility or “atelier” on its existing grounds in France. However, it does not seem like the goal will be to radically enhance production capacity. The new facility will still be considered small by car production standards. The building will occupy approximately just one acre of space. For perspective, the production floor at Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg plant takes up nearly 400 acres.
It’s hard to fathom the year 2029 – in life or a purely automotive context. Car brands have backed off pledges to be all but all-electric by that point. However, it’s safe to assume that many developments will happen between now and then. Autonomous driving fleets could be closer to reality. Much-touted solid-state electric batteries may be in (at least very high-end) production. Ford is planning to revolutionize the assembly line. Dodge may even put an all-new Durango SUV into production by then. Maybe.
But Bugatti’s wait time is also not that unheard of in that second automotive world we mentioned in the beginning. Nor is it exclusive to cars. Purchasing a particular Rolex Daytona or other sought-after watch can be a multiple-year process – and that’s if the brand deems you worthy enough to own one. Even buying a comparatively run-of-the-mill car, such as a Ferrari Purosangue SUV, can require multiple years on a waitlist.
Buyers who don’t wish to wait for a new Bugatti can get a used one. AutoTrader currently lists 16 Bugattis for sale in the United States. Only one – a 2012 Veyron – has more than 5,000 miles on the odometer. But the cheapest listed price on a used one (most require you to contact the seller) is $3.85 million.
Sources: Grey Market, Autotrader
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