Caio - American Bus Company was born in the post-World War II period in an era of rebirth, rebuilding and hope. It was founded on December 19, 1945, by the Gonçalves brothers, Ford dealers, and by José Massa, an Italian immigrant who arrived in Brazil in 1925.

Caio began operating on January 12, 1946, in a 3,120 m² shed, at Avenida Celso Garcia, Brás, in São Paulo, with 120 employees.

The first bus body took 30 days to be produced, the Jardineira, purely handmade work.

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In the first year, Caio Bus Manufacturer manufactured 146 bus bodies.

Purchase of Cia. Auto bus body Cermava, RJ. Chassis production under license of Italian Siccar.

In 1952, the factory was inaugurated in Guaiaúna Street, in the city of São Paulo, with 24 thousand m2. In addition to producing bodies in two units, that of Guaiaúna and Cermava (RJ), it manufactured chassis under license from Italian Siccar.

Still 1952, Caio would produce its first all-metal body, with a structure constructed of U-shaped steel profiles, with flaps, and external steel plating.

In 1958 Mercedes-Benz launched the first urban bus chassis, the LP-321. Caio was the first in the country to start it.

In 1960 the first body with tubular structure was born, made with double U stamped plates, the urban model Bossa Nova. Its design featured wide windows, sliding windows and panoramic windshields.

In 1963, launched the line Jaraguá, new model, with bigger glass area and lighter style. Two years later it gained a new front grille and four headlights, becoming the first big sales success of the brand.

In the year 1965, Caio deactivated Cermava in Rio de Janeiro to concentrate its production in São Paulo.

In 1962 Cia was founded. Industrial de Ônibus do Nordeste, headquartered in Jaboatão, PE. The Caio Norte factory, as it was called, had a productive potential of 40 bus bodies per month. It was officially inaugurated in 1966, directed by José Roberto Massa, son of José Massa.

In the 1966 motor show, Caio showed the Gaivota road transport, ultimate internal finish and comfort.

The Verona bus and also the urban Bela Vista were already presented at the Motor Show.

In 1971, Caio completed 25 years of its foundation. In commemoration, it launched the Jubileu road model with a front engine.

Caio incorporated in the structure of the bodies, the use of fiberglass parts, mainly in panels, hoods, headlight grills, seats and backs. The use of the material resulted in a new revolution in the production of buses.

In 1974, Gabriela was born, an urban model with straight lines and panoramic windshield. Another launch this year, was the micro Carolina I, successor of micro Verona.

In 1976, the Caio Group acquired the Metropolitana S / A bus body factory in Rio de Janeiro and absorbed the duralumin technology.

In the same year, the Gabriela II model appeared, with a transparent rear window. It was the first urban of the Caio supplied in an articulated version, on the recently launched Volvo national chassis, and on a Scania chassis with front engine.

In 1977 Corcovado was launched, the first road model of the company, with aluminum structure and Itaipu, tourism road model, originated from Gabriela.

In 1978 the Caio Bus Manufacturer, closed the activities of the Metropolitan Body Factory - RJ

Brazil begins the decade with the visit of Pope John Paul II to the country. Caio was the bus bodybuilder chosen to build the "Pope mobile", manufacturing on the micro Carolina. Two units of the vehicles that transported the Pope during his visit to some Brazilian cities.

The plants of Guaiaúna, SP, and Metropolitana, RJ, were transferred to the Botucatu plant, which was still under construction

Inaugurated officially in 1982. Installed in a shed of 30 thousand m², on a land of 280 thousand m² and built area of 76 thousand m². The new plant was one of the largest car body factories in the world, with a production capacity of 700 units per month.

Caio started the decade and the new plant with two new features in its mix: the replacement of the urban line Gabriela by the model Amelia, which was also a success, being manufactured with steel or aluminum structure, and the Aritana road model, with square lines and simple finishing, originated from the body structure Gabriela.

The company re-invested in the road market, launching at the beginning of 1985, the modern Squalo, with bold aluminum lines, culminating in the company\s 40th anniversary party and with the official inauguration of the Botucatu factory.

In 1988, the Vitoria body was launched, replacing the Amelia, a urban vehicle also of great success and one of the most wanted models. With clean and modern lines, its balance and harmony were especially emphasized in the padron and articulated versions, with central motor. About 280 units were produced per month of this model

Another strategy was to enter the export market to North America. Caio directed two new products: the Monterrey highway, on a Mercedes-Benz OH chassis, and the Beta, a monobloc on its own project platform, with mixed suspension. The two models were shown at the III Expobus in September 1994 in São Paulo.

In December 1995, the company\s 50th anniversary, the urban Alpha, made of steel or duralumin, was introduced, replacing Vitoria that had been the market leader since its launch seven years earlier with 28,000 units produced.

Caio is the first bus body builder to receive ISO certification.

Accompanying the Alpha, Alpha Intercity was also launched for the intermunicipal and tourism segments, with some aesthetic details that set them apart from the urban model: wider front windshield and reduced rear; internal itinerary boxes; tougher bumpers and larger rear taillights.

In a concentrated effort to modernize and diversify its line, Caio promoted three launches: the micro Piccolo, replacing the Carolina, the mini Piccolino, in the standard and luxury versions; and the urban "futuristic" Millennium, for chassis with a rear engine, with normal floor or low entry.

In August of that year, amid the difficulties arising from the composition, Caio still launched the urban Apache S21, replacing Alpha.

Caio was 55 years old in December 2000, with approximately 1,000 employees. In the same month, the closure of its operations was given.

The new Caio is born as Induscar. After having bankruptcy decreed in December 2000, a lot of people got together not to let the big brand lose its value and have people lose their jobs.

In October 2002, at the 4th Fetransrio, Caio presented two prototypes of the Giro 3400, with a height of 3.4, the first road model of the new phase of the company, both with a length of 12.7 m and a capacity for 42 passengers, plus rodomoça.

The rear-engine urban also brought news. The second generation of the Millenium body was launched at the end of 2003, suitable for any low floor chassis. The Millenium II, with totally redesigned and harmonic lines, came to answer for the top segment of the urban line.

In 2004, Caio provided the Ruas Group, 30 special biarticulate for operation in the São Paulo corridors, model to which he gave the name Topbus. Also in 2004 was launched the Giro 3600 model 3.6m high, model for medium and long distances, for chassis with central or rear engine.

At the beginning of 2005, the company was chosen to supply 530 bodies to Chile. This time, with a new rear engine model : the Mondego. In the same year, it was announced another important foray abroad: the agreement with South Africa to mount Bussmark, body to be shipped from Brazil under the SKD form.

At the end of this year, the company continued the renovation of its line, launching new micros, baptized Foz, in the urban, tourism, executive and school versions. Announced as the widest interior of the category, they could hold up to four under-floor side luggage racks, plus a rear.

In October of that year, Caio showed in Fetransrio, Foz Super, its first urban medium, called ”micrao”. The style was the same as the micro Foz, with minor changes, the main one being the C-shaped opening above the grid. Also in 2006 was launched the Mondego HA articulated version of the Mondego.

A new "conventional" urban brand appeared in January 2007, the Apache S22, a restyling of the Apache S21, following the basic bus line, front engine, to serve a segment that asked for simpler vehicles. In May the new mini Atilis was launched, developed in partnership with Mercedes-Benz.

In 2007 Induscar began the modernization of its manufacturing plant.

In 2008, the Caio product mix was expanded, with the launch of Mini Foz, replacing the veteran Piccolino. With lengths ranging from six to eight meters and designed to use any type of chassis, the new bus body contained a large number of applications, from executive to rural transport.

To better meet the demand of the bus plant and the market itself, the Caio Induscar group was formed with the acquisition of new companies. In addition to the bus body builder, the fiber factory was installed, Fiberbus.

In 2009, Induscar consolidated its rebuilding venture, by auctioning off the building and facilities of Caio. Today it is Caio Induscar.

Also in 2009 Inbrasp was inaugurated that manufactures plastic parts.

In 2010 the bus manufacturer Caio signs a partnership with Volvo Mexico. Also in 2010 was launched the solar model Solar 3200.

In 2011 65 years of the brand Caio and 10 years of Caio Induscar is celebrated. That same year was launched the 3rd generation of Millennium, urban model of rear engine.

In October 2012, Caio Induscar launched the Millennium BRT Family, comprised of the Feeder, Articulated and Biarticulate models. These bus bodies were developed to meet the BRT system and the corridors of the big cities.

In the same year, the company restyled Apache Vip, the best-selling bus by the São Paulo bus bodybuilder and the sales champion in Brazil.

In 2013 the Group makes a new investment, the acquisition of the Industrial Complex, which houses four new companies: Tecglass (tempered glass manufacturer) and CEAC (Caio administrative center).

The Caio Induscar bus road model, the Solar, presents a new look. The news was due to the new front, rear, and side of the Hall.

Caio Induscar restyled its Foz micro bus, which gives more agility in the urban routes of small and medium distances. The evolution has gone from the design, structure, and the finish, to provide greater comfort to the passengers.

The bus body was designed with new design concepts. The main external change is the design, in which the optical assemblies have new geometry and day running lights DRL (position light) in led, avoiding the constant burning of the lamps; the taillights are in led block and interchangeable.

In 2015 the Group makes a new investment. Another manufacturing unit of Caio Induscar is inaugurated in the city of Barra Bonita-SP.

Also in 2015 the solar Road 3400 model was launched, with 3.4m in height in the rear and front motor versions. In the same year, the Mondego model undergoes a restyling.

In 2016, we celebrated the landmark of 70 years of activities of the Caio brand and 15 years of Caio Induscar. During Fetransrio 2016, an exhibition was held within the Millennium BRT, using vehicle advertising signs, with photos of the products that marked each decade of the brand.

Caio Induscar launched in the national market, the fourth generation of Millennium, urban bus, suitable for rear engine chassis, low and normal versions. The model, aimed primarily at the domestic market, was designed to serve customers operating in urban centers and bus corridors.

Caio Induscar presented during the Fetransrio 2016, the second generation of the Millennium BRT Superarticulate, urban bus with 23 meters, designed to operate in BRT systems and corridors of major cities. With even more aerodynamic lines, the model combines design, comfort, operational speed and items that provide low cost and easy main

Shareholders and investors of the Caio Induscar Group, acquired the manufacturing plant and the Busscar brand. The acquisition aimed to expand the performance of the Caio Induscar Group, in the domestic and foreign markets.

The Soul Class, presented in the school and executive versions, is a result of the union of forces of Caio Induscar and Iveco Bus. It is the first inclusive micro bus in the Brazilian market. The armchair with DPM (Mobile Armchair Device), guarantees accessibility for people with disabilities or difficulties of locomotion.

The F2400 micro-bus was presented in Transpúblico 2017 in urban and executive versions. the bold, modern design with rounded and aerodynamic front and rear shapes gives the F2400 the characteristic of grandeur and strength of the Caio brand products.

Due to the pandemic, Caio`s innovation and special products team developed Caio Protect, a set of solutions to increase biosecurity in the internal environment of the brand`s buses.

In September 2020, Caio presents to the market the update of Foz F2400 minibus, in urban and executive versions. Seeking continuous improvement and innovation, studies were carried out on the model design and resulted in changes to the front, also called “facelift”, a term commonly used in the automotive industry.

Caio completes 75 years of history and 20 years under the management of a new group. A trajectory of many challenges and achievements, marked by the dream of making the Caio, a 100% Brazilian bus manufacturer brand, even bigger.

In early July 2021, Caio launches the fifth generation of its best-selling model: the Apache Vip. In addition to structural robustness, durability and reliability, the new Apache Vip brings improvements that result in more benefits for the customer: Design, functionality, use of new materials.

With the return of in-person events, Caio participates in Lat.Bus Transpúblico and brings great launches to the market: Millennium`s fifth generation (for rear and central engine) and eMillennium`s new body (specific for chassis with electric drive).

In April 2023, in partnership with Volvo Mexico, Caio presents the Luminus to the Mexican market, a 100% electric bus, supplied in SKD form and assembled at the Volvo factory in the country.