Portugal’s automotive story blends small-scale craftsmanship with moments of industrial ambition — from coastal workshops to city startups experimenting with niche sports cars and electric conversions. Knowing the makers behind those cars helps track how design, economy and local engineering evolved across the country.
There are 14 Portuguese Car Brands, ranging from AGB to Vinci GT. For each entry you’ll find below Founding year (YYYY),Headquarters,Status so you can quickly see when each maker began, where it’s based and whether it’s active, defunct or transformed — you’ll find below the full list and details.
Are any of these brands still producing cars today?
Some are still active, mostly as low-volume specialists, kit or electric conversion firms, while others are historic names preserved only in records and enthusiasts’ circles. Check the Status column in the list below to see which operate commercially, which produce limited runs, and which exist only as legacy marques.
How should I use the Founding year (YYYY), Headquarters, Status columns when researching?
Use Founding year (YYYY) to place each brand in a historical timeline, Headquarters to understand regional clusters of activity, and Status to filter for current manufacturers versus historical ones—this makes it easy to compare eras, find living companies for contact or visits, and spot trends in Portuguese automotive development.
Portuguese Car Brands
| Name | Founding year (YYYY) | Headquarters | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adamastor | 2010 | Perafita, Porto | Active (supercar/track car manufacturer) |
| UMM | 1977 | Lisbon, Lisbon | Defunct (production ceased circa 2006) |
| Portaro | 1975 | Vendas Novas, Évora | Defunct (ceased operations in the 1990s) |
| Sado | 1982 | Setúbal, Setúbal | Defunct (production ended in 1986) |
| Alba | 1952 | Albergaria-a-Velha, Aveiro | Defunct (ceased car production in 1961) |
| Vinci GT | 2007 | Guimarães, Braga | Concept (prototype built, never reached production) |
| DM | 1933 | Lisbon, Lisbon | Defunct (ceased car production in the late 1930s) |
| Edfor | 1937 | Porto, Porto | Defunct (produced only one car) |
| IPA | 1958 | Lisbon, Lisbon | Defunct (ceased operations in the early 1960s) |
| Salvador Caetano | 1946 | Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto | Active (primarily a coachbuilder and assembler) |
| Marlei | 1954 | Porto, Porto | Defunct (only a few prototypes built) |
| OLDA | 1936 | Lisbon, Lisbon | Defunct (ceased operations in 1938) |
| Felcom | 1983 | Vila do Conde, Porto | Defunct (project did not reach production) |
| AGB | 1950 | Braga, Braga | Defunct (as a car manufacturer) |
Images and Descriptions
Adamastor
A modern Portuguese manufacturer focused on high-performance track cars. Their Furia model represents a new era of Portuguese automotive engineering, blending advanced aerodynamics with powerful performance for the racetrack.
UMM
Portugal’s most famous automaker, known for its incredibly robust 4x4s. Based on a Cournil design, the UMM Alter was used by military and civilians, gaining a reputation for indestructibility and simplicity.
Portaro
A popular manufacturer of off-road vehicles, created from a partnership with Romanian brand ARO. The Portaro 240 and Celta models were affordable and rugged, becoming common sights in rural Portugal.
Sado
A microcar project by Entreposto. The Sado 550 was a tiny, fuel-efficient two-seater with a 547cc engine, designed for affordable urban mobility during the post-oil crisis era. Only a few hundred were made.
Alba
An early Portuguese sports and racing car brand. Built by the Martins family metalworking company, the Alba cars were successful in domestic competitions, featuring advanced engineering and bespoke bodies for their time.
Vinci GT
A promising Portuguese supercar project developed by Auto Museu da Maia. The sleek prototype, named the Vinci GT, was a high-profile attempt to create a modern, high-performance national sports car.
DM
One of Portugal’s pioneering car manufacturers. DM built elegant roadsters and racing cars using foreign engines (like Ford V8s) in their own chassis, showcasing early Portuguese ambition in automotive design.
Edfor
A brand created by Eduardo Ferreirinha, resulting in a single but beautiful Ford V8-based sports car. The Edfor Grand Sport is a celebrated example of 1930s Portuguese automotive craftsmanship and design.
IPA
A short-lived brand that produced a small car, the IPA 300. It was based on a Goggomobil chassis with a British engine and a locally-designed fiberglass body, aiming for the affordable end of the market.
Salvador Caetano
While known for assembling Toyotas, Salvador Caetano is a historic Portuguese coachbuilder. They created custom bodies for various chassis and are now a major manufacturer of bus and coach bodies for the global market.
Marlei
An ambitious but brief attempt to create a Portuguese microcar. The Marlei was a very light, three-wheeled vehicle powered by a motorcycle engine, designed by Mário Moreira Leite. It never reached mass production.
OLDA
An early cyclecar manufacturer that created small, economical vehicles. The OLDA used components from various European brands and represented an early effort to motorize the Portuguese population with locally-made cars.
Felcom
A project to create a Portuguese sports car, the Felcom R S. Based on a heavily modified Mini platform, it featured a sleek fiberglass body but ultimately remained a prototype, never entering series production.
AGB
A coachbuilder from Braga that also ventured into car manufacturing. AGB was known for its stylish custom bodies on chassis from brands like Citroën, but also produced a few of its own racing prototypes.
