Machado

Machado Automóveis Company (commonly referred to as Machado) is a luxury Watanese car brand specializing in s, s, and more recently, s. Headquartered in Altamira, the company possesses international prestige for its extravagant s which are regarded by most to be among the most luxurious in the world. The company was founded in Neves by Ambrósio Machado Vieira and his partner Miguel Lobo Amorim on February 2, 1974. The logo is said to resemble the headpiece of an ancient Arkulusian helmet, a symbol of stature and affluence in Watan. In modern day, Machado produces the Machado Mestra, Luxo, and Lâmina as sports cars, the Florete, Brilho, Lua, and Bastião as sedans, and the Estrelato as its first SUV model. The company also produces the M100 as its first experimentation into the modern racing scene. Since its foundation as a luxury car brand, Machado has cemented Watan's status as a producer of luxury goods internationally. Machado also receives governmental financial support in their endeavors to keep the "Watanese luxury brand" alive.

Foundation
The idea of Machado first arose in 1970 by Ambrósio Machado Vieira (referred to henceforth as Vieira to avoid confusion), the lead designer of the Aavest and chief of design for Fainey - hired by Fainey as an foreign expert in car design. After several years of working for the company, Vieira - who had always sought to create his own luxury car brand - now had the assets and prestige to do so. After producing several designs and other plans for the car brand, Vieira split from Fainey under the name of Machado Automóveis Company and based it in his hometown of Neves in 1974. The first Machado model - the Machado Alma - had its first debut at Queluz Car Show 1974 to great success, the car garnering much attention from the attendees. Vieira continued to work with Fainey for several months after his department from the company, including his cooperation on several projects on the Aavest.