An "example" of what the Portuguese economy has been doing – "the capacity to attract foreign investment and produce goods with increasingly greater added value". Prime Minister António Costa visited Toyota Caetano Portugal in Ovar on Tuesday 9 January for the presentation of the 6e Accessible People Mover (APM) microcar. These are vehicles to assist with people with reduced mobility during the Paris Olympics in 2024 and which will be produced in Portugal. 

Recalling that this is the 12th vehicle to be produced in the Ovar plant, António Costa indicated the partnership between Salvador Caetano and Toyota, which began in 1968 with the first Japanese maker’s factory in Europe, as an example of the country’s capacity to attract foreign investment of greater added value, as "this is the only way in which we can generate more value, qualified jobs, and better paid jobs". 

An "example that clearly show the path the Portuguese economy has been on over the last few years", the Prime Minister underlined. "2022 was a record year for corporate investment in our country. In the first quarter of 2023 we were already above the first half of 2022. It is therefore likely that in 2023 we will have a new high in corporate investment in our economy", António Costa added, highlighting that this is the first time our country’s history where exports accounted for more than 50% of GDP. 

250 vehicles produced in Ovar

Portugal will produce the 250 6e Accessible People Movers (APM) to assist with transporting people with reduced mobility during the Paris Olympics in 2024.  

The APM was developed by Toyota Motor Europe in Belgium and will be produced in the Toyota Caetano Portugal plant in Ovar. This inclusive electric mobility vehicle will transport athletes, hosts, volunteers, and spectators who are disabled or have difficulties moving around, small goods, and there is a version created especially to operate as a medical assistance vehicle.  

In all, 250 APMs will circulate in Paris in various facilities, including venues to hold events or competitions and other official venues, such as the Olympic village for athletes. These units will be combined with the Caetano Buses with hydrogen fuel batteries which the Salvador Caetano also produce in Portugal. 

The start of the APM production is scheduled for February 2024.