Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa visited the Autoeuropa factory in Palmela, accompanied by the Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, Manuel Castro Almeida. He then attended the signing of a joint declaration of intent between the Volkswagen Group and the Portuguese Government for the production of the ID.EVERY1 electric car.

In a speech at the signing ceremony, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa argued that Portugal is taking "a huge step toward growth, innovation, exports, energy transition, decarbonisation, and competitiveness."

"All challenges simultaneously, and all inevitably destined to be overcome," emphasised the President of the Republic.

Speaking to representatives of the German group, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa praised the "vision" of former Prime Minister and President of the Republic, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, when, between 1989 and 1991, he negotiated the construction of the Autoeuropa factory.

The President of the Republic emphasised that this vision has been "systematically supported by all governments, right and left, and by all presidents, left and right," noting that this was also evident today, with the presence of the Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, Manuel Castro Almeida, at the signing ceremony.

"This is, for once—and it wasn't the only one, but it was perhaps one of the most important—a national strategy pursued over decades that is now experiencing a very significant qualitative leap," he said.

The head of state praised Castro Almeida's presence at this ceremony and the fact that the minister signed the declaration with Volkswagen, saying this shows that the government understands "the strategic significance of the step taken by this group to build a Portugal with greater growth, greater competitiveness, greater exports, and, therefore, greater economic and social success."

"Without this vision and commitment, the Portuguese economy and society would be very different," he emphasised.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also expressed his "enormous gratitude" to the workers of Autoeuropa, stating that, without them, the factory "would not be what it is today."

"I recall that many hours of the presidential term were spent serving the country, addressing Autoeuropa issues and monitoring these economic, financial, and labour issues," he said.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa emphasized that Autoeuropa's workers are "thousands of men and women, almost five thousand today," who have made the industry's growth in Portugal possible.

"They have overcome differences, tensions, conflicts, and periods of crisis, whether internally, in Portugal, or globally, while simultaneously pursuing significant developments in qualifications and the development of their skills," he praised.

The Government and Volkswagen has signed the agreement for the production of the new ID.EVERY1 electric car at Autoeuropa in Palmela, Setúbal district, stating that it represents the group's confidence in the country.

"The new T-ROC and the commitment to the ID.EVERY1 symbolize much more than just two new models. They represent the Volkswagen Group's confidence in Portugal, they also represent the support and strategic vision of the Portuguese Government, and, above all, they represent the remarkable work that this team here [in Palmela] has done," said Thomas Engel Gunther, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Volkswagen Autoeuropa, at the signing ceremony.