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Our history

In 1926, Salvador Fernandes Caetano, the man who would later lead Salvador Caetano into the future, was born in Vila Nova de Gaia.

Son of “humble people”, he starts working at the age of eleven; at eighteen he sets up his own business; and at the age of twenty he creates the company Martins & Caetano & Irmão, Lda, building a bus body factory that would be the embryo of Salvador Caetano.

In 1968, he signed an important contract for the import and exclusive distribution of the Toyota brand in Portugal.

Since then, Salvador Caetano has come a long way and has become a Group with solid and deep roots, allowing the expansion of its activity to other business areas and growth across borders. Currently, it aggregates more than 100 companies established in Europe, South America and Africa, operating in the following business areas: industry, distribution and automotive retail and services.

“(…) today, as before, our focus remains on the future.”

Salvador F. Caetano in Brochura
“50 anos Salvador Caetano”

Agreement for the exclusive distribution of Dongfeng in Portugal and Spain.

Distribution of GAC Motor vehicles, spare parts and services in South Africa.

Agreement for the distribution of XPENG in Portugal and Spain.

Distribution of JMC in several countries in Africa: Mozambique, Kenya, Senegal.

Distribution agreement for Hyundai Forklifts in Kenya and Senegal.

Agreement for the import and distribution of BYD Trucks in Portugal.

Strategic partnership between S.C.Auto and Faizon for the distribution of Farizon in Portugal and Spain.​
Start of BYD’s import and retail activities in Portugal and Spain

Agreement for the exclusive distribution of Nissan in Portugal.

Expansion of Caetano Mobility in Spain.
Joint venture with the Hedin Group in Sweden and Denmark for the import and distribution of the Renault group.

Joint venture with AutoWallis Group, for the implementation of Renaulution in Hungary.

Caetano Retail acquired Gamobar and strengthens the position of a major retail operator in Iberian market.

Salvador Caetano expanded its portfolio in Africa with the new Ford business in Tunisia.

Partnership with PSA for the distribution  of Peugeot and Citroën in 15 countries in Africa.

Conclusion of a contract with Midas for exclusive brand and concept representation in Portugal.

Toyota Caetano Portugal strengthens strategic alliance with CaetanoBus and Finlog in fuel cell bus business for further expansion of zero emission mobility solutions.

World premiere of the hydrogen bus – H2.City Gold.

Establishment of Caetano Go, the company that aggregates the Mobility Services of Salvador Caetano.

50th anniversary of the presence of Toyota Caetano in Portugal.

Partnership with Latam Operational for the establishment of Ducati Colombia.

Distribution of Nissan in Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Rwanda.

Volvo’s distribution in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.

Acquisition of a dealership group in Colombia.

Distribution of Kia in Benin, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, São Tomé and Principe, Sierra Leone, Burundi and Rwanda.

Partnership with Toyota for the development of a fuel cell bus.

Strategic alliance between Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and CaetanoBus.

Salvador Caetano takes sole control over Finlog.

Salvador Caetano celebrates its 70th anniversary.

Partnership with Domingo Alonso Group for the establishment of Honda in Portugal through Caetano Retail.

Partnership with Domingo Alonso Group for the establishment of Hyundai in Portugal through Caetano Retail.

Line-off ceremony of the Toyota Land Cruiser Series 70 at Toyota Caetano Portugal, Ovar.

Official opening of Caetano Aeronautic.

Distribution of Renault in West Africa (5 countries).

Joint venture with Aciturri (Aeronautic sector).

Joint venture with Penske Group (BMW dealer´s in Barcelona).

Start of retail operations in Kenya and Senegal.

Start up of Brilliance Caetano partnership for bus manufacturing in Dalian (China).

Distribution of Renault in East Africa (7 countries).

Start up of Caetano Aeronautic – partnership with Airbus.

Partnership between Guerin and Enterprise, the biggest international Rent a Car.

The German participation in the capital of CaetanoBus ends. Daimler maintains its partnership with COBUS INDUSTRIES for the sales of airport buses.
Focus on I&D for the development of a 100% electric bus.
Joint venture with Mapfre for the Spanish market.
Expansion of retail in Portugal and Spain.

Joint venture with Sonae Group (Finlog).

Joint venture with Daimler at CaetanoBus.
Guerin’s integration in Salvador Caetano.
Salvador Caetano started importing Lexus to Portugal.
Salvador Caetano decided to invest in Cape Verde, starting its activity by representing Toyota, followed by Ford in 1998 and Daihatsu in 2001.
Salvador Caetano acquired Robert Hudson (Ford distributor) in Angola.

Salvador Caetano started to import and distribute BMW products in Portugal.

Establishment of Salvador Caetano Training Centre.
Start of Toyota retail operations in Portugal.
The Toyota vehicle assembly plant in Ovar was inaugurated.
Exclusive distributor of Toyota products in Portugal (vehicles and forklifts).
“Martins, Caetano & Irmão, Lda.”, the bus bodywork factory that would later lead to Salvador Caetano.
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