Dr. Carlos Alberto de Oliveira Andrade, the founder of CAOA, started working in the automotive sector by acquiring a Ford Landau at the Ford dealership in Campina Grande (PB). When the dealership went bankrupt, he did not hesitate to propose that it would be transferred to him to offset the payment for the vehicle. This is how CAOA was founded and, in less than six years, it became the largest Ford dealership in Brazil.
CAOA started its operations in São Paulo, becoming the largest Ford dealer in the country in record time.
Brazil started importing vehicles, an operation that was prohibited until then. That same year, CAOA became the official and exclusive importer of the Renault brand in the country. In less than three years, Renault became the number one brand in sales in the imports category, and the 5th in the overall market.
CAOA became the Subaru brand official importer and distributor. Sales of the Japanese brand, which were previously represented by another importer, tripled in less than a year.
Now it was Hyundai's turn. The brand had already been represented by two other distributors, without success. But it was a different story with CAOA: Hyundai brand reached the leadership in the SUV segment with the Tucson model.
CAOA consolidates its success story with Ford, becoming the largest Ford dealer in Latin America, in addition to being the exclusive importer and distributor of the Subaru and Hyundai brands nationwide.
Hyundai's first plant in Brazil was inaugurated: CAOA Montadora de Veículos – Hyundai. The R$1.2 billion enterprise, built in the Agroindustrial District of Anápolis (DAIA), was built with its own resources and earned Dr. Carlos Alberto de Oliveira Andrade the title of ‘Entrepreneur of the Year in Industry’ by IstoÉ Dinheiro magazine.
Inauguration of the Center for Research and Energy Efficiency (CPEE), at CAOA Montadora plant, in Anápolis (Goiás).
CAOA, Latin America's largest automobile production and distribution conglomerate, and Chery, China's largest vehicle exporter, signed a historic cooperation agreement to launch CAOA Chery, a new 100% national automaker.
CAOA expands its business activities in the car rental area with CAOA Locadora, in addition to expanding its business in the insurance brokerage area and also launching lubricating oil under its own brand, Supremus.
With a solid academic background from Brown University in the USA, Carlos Alberto de Oliveira Andrade Filho assumes the presidency of CAOA in December 2022. Carlos has always been involved in the day-to-day business of CAOA, acquiring experience in all operational areas of the company, in addition to having participated in the company's major negotiations and strategic decisions. Anticipating global changes in the automotive sector, Carlos Filho led the technological turnaround in our automotive industry, investing in the manufacture of hybrid models and the import of vehicles with electric technology.
CAOA announced an investment plan of R$3 billion for the next 5 years to maintain its constant process of modernization and structured growth.
New parts distribution center in São Paulo receives an investment of R$50 million to increase stock capacity. The space is strategically located 50 km from São Paulo, in the city of Franco da Rocha and has easy access to the main roads in Brazil, allowing it to quickly meet the demands of the dealership network.