Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, accompanied by Economy and Territorial Cohesion Minister Manuel Castro Almeida, visited the Autoeuropa factory in Palmela this morning. Following the visit, they witnessed the signing of a joint declaration between the Volkswagen Group and the Portuguese government for the production of the electric car ID.EVERY1.
In a speech at the signing ceremony, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa highlighted that Portugal is making “a remarkable step towards growth, innovation, exports, energy transition, decarbonization, and competitiveness.”
“Challenges all at once and all inevitably destined to succeed,” emphasized the President.
Addressing representatives of the German group, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa praised the “vision” of former Prime Minister and President Aníbal Cavaco Silva, who negotiated the construction of the Autoeuropa factory between 1989 and 1991.
The President underlined that this vision has been “systematically supported by all governments, whether right or left, and by all presidents, whether left or right.” He noted that this cooperation was evident today in the presence of Minister Manuel Castro Almeida at the signing ceremony.
“This is, for once—and not the only time, but perhaps one of the most important—a national strategy pursued over decades and now witnessing a significant qualitative leap,” he remarked.
The Head of State praised Castro Almeida’s involvement and the minister’s role in signing the declaration with Volkswagen, indicating the government’s understanding of “the strategic significance of this group’s move to build a more prosperous, competitive, and economically and socially successful Portugal.”
“Without this vision and commitment, the Portuguese economy and society would be vastly different,” he stressed.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also expressed “immense gratitude” to the Autoeuropa workforce, acknowledging that without them, the factory “would not be what it is today.”
“I recall that numerous hours of my presidential term were dedicated to addressing issues related to Autoeuropa and monitoring economic, financial, and labor concerns,” he mentioned.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa pointed out that Autoeuropa consists of “thousands of men and women, nearly five thousand today,” whose efforts have driven industrial growth in Portugal.
“They have managed to overcome differences, tensions, conflicts, and crises, both domestically and globally, while advancing significantly in skill development and competence enhancement,” he commended.
The government and Volkswagen officially signed the agreement to produce the new ID.EVERY1 electric vehicle at Autoeuropa in Palmela, Setúbal district, signifying the group’s confidence in the country.
“The new T-ROC and commitment to the ID.EVERY1 symbolize much more than just two new models; they symbolize the Volkswagen Group’s confidence in Portugal. They also represent the Portuguese government’s strategic support and vision, and above all, they reflect the remarkable work this team here [in Palmela] has accomplished,” stated Thomas Engel Gunther, General Director and Chairman of the Executive Board of Volkswagen Autoeuropa, during the signing ceremony.
