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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 Farizon for the distribution of Farizon in Portugal and Spain.​
Start of BYD’s exclusive distribution activity in Portugal.

Launch of BYD’s retail operation in Andalusia, Spain.

Exclusive distribution agreement for Nissan in Portugal.

Expansion of Caetano Mobility in Spain.

Launch of a significant Renault agreement in Venezuela.
Joint venture with the Hedin Group in Sweden and Denmark, and with Autowallis Group in Hungary for the import and distribution of the Renault.

Distribution of the Renault Trucks, Hyundai Trucks and Mahindra brands in Several African countries.

Launch of Go.Charge Energy and Mobility as a Service.

Launch of Jetour in Senegal and Cape Verde.

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 the Peugeot and Citroën brands in 15 African countries: Angola, Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Signing the contract with Midas for exclusive representation of the brand in Portugal.

Strengthening of Toyota Caetano Portugal strategic alliance with CaetanoBus and KINTO in the hydrogen bus business.

Launch of the H2.City Gold hydrogen bus.

Creation of Caetano Go.

Launch of Xtracars brand, which offers subscription car service.

Distribution of KIA in Central Africa: Benin, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Rwanda.

Exclusive distribution agreement of Ducati Colombia.

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

Acquisition of a car dealership group in Colombia.

Strategic alliance between Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and CaetanoBus.
Exclusive distribution agreement of Honda Portugal.

Exclusive distribution agreement of Hyundai Portugal.

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

Distribution of Renault in West Africa (5 countries).

Launch of Bedriven mobility platform.

Joint venture with Aciturri to launch Caetano Aeronautic.

Joint venture with Grupo Penske (BMW dealer in Barcelona).

Start -up of retail operations in Kenya and Senegal.

Distribution of the Renault brand in East Africa: 7 countries.

Partnership with Enterprise, as the world’s fist franchisee (Guerin -Car Rental Solutions)
Launch of Rodinhas, children transport.
Joint venture with Mapfre for the Spanish market.
Launch of car retail operation in Spain.
Launch of Carplus, a company dedicated exclusively to the sale of multi-brand used cars.
Exclusive distribution agreement of Lexus in Portugal.

Beginning of Caetano Mobility vision through Finlog, Fleet Management and Operational Leasing (actual KINTO) and Guerin Rent a Car.

Launch of business in Cape Verde with Toyota, followed by Ford in 1998.
Acquisition of Robert Hudson (Ford distributor in Angola).

Exclusive distributing agreement of BMW in Portugal.

Creation of Salvador Caetano Training Centre.
Start of retail operations in Portugal with Toyota.
First Toyota factory in Europe.
Exclusive distribution agreement of Toyota brand in Portugal.
Founding of ‘Martins, Caetano & Irmão, LDA’
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