When purchasing a new car, many consumers prioritize buying American-made vehicles to support local manufacturing, ensure high-quality craftsmanship, and contribute to the economy. However, determining which cars are truly “made in America” can be challenging due to the complexities of global supply chains. Many vehicles assembled in the United States still contain parts sourced from other countries, while some American-branded cars are built overseas.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the vehicles manufactured in the U.S., the criteria used to determine their American-made status, and the automakers that contribute to the country’s automotive industry.
What Defines an American-Made Car?
A car can be considered “American-made” based on several factors, including:
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Assembly Location: The most straightforward criterion is whether the vehicle is assembled in the U.S.
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Domestic Parts Content: The American Automobile Labeling Act (AALA) requires automakers to disclose the percentage of U.S. and Canadian parts used in a vehicle.
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Company Headquarters: Some consumers prioritize brands headquartered in the U.S., such as Ford and General Motors.
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Labor Force Contribution: Vehicles built in American factories create jobs for U.S. workers, even if some parts are sourced internationally.
Top American-Made Cars (2024 Edition)
Every year, publications like Cars.com release an American-Made Index, ranking the most American-made vehicles based on factors such as parts sourcing and assembly location. Here are some of the top American-made cars:
1. Tesla Model Y
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Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
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Assembly Location: Fremont, California; Austin, Texas
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Why It’s American: Tesla is headquartered in the U.S., and the Model Y contains a high percentage of domestic parts and labor.
2. Tesla Model 3
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Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
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Assembly Location: Fremont, California; Austin, Texas
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Why It’s American: Like the Model Y, the Model 3 is primarily made with American parts and is assembled domestically.
3. Honda Passport
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Manufacturer: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
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Assembly Location: Lincoln, Alabama
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Why It’s American: While Honda is a Japanese company, the Passport is built in Alabama with a significant percentage of American-made components.
4. Honda Ridgeline
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Manufacturer: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
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Assembly Location: Lincoln, Alabama
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Why It’s American: Another strong contender, the Ridgeline is built alongside the Passport in Alabama.
5. Chevrolet Corvette
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Manufacturer: General Motors
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Assembly Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky
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Why It’s American: The Corvette is an iconic American sports car, built in the U.S. with a high percentage of domestic parts.
6. Jeep Wrangler
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Manufacturer: Stellantis (formerly Fiat Chrysler Automobiles)
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Assembly Location: Toledo, Ohio
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Why It’s American: Jeep is a well-known American brand, and the Wrangler is manufactured in Ohio with a substantial amount of U.S.-sourced components.
7. Ford Bronco
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Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
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Assembly Location: Wayne, Michigan
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Why It’s American: Ford is a U.S.-based automaker, and the Bronco is made in Michigan, contributing significantly to the domestic auto industry.
8. Toyota Tundra
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Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
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Assembly Location: San Antonio, Texas
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Why It’s American: Despite being a Japanese automaker, Toyota builds the Tundra in Texas, using many U.S.-made parts.
9. Chevrolet Silverado 1500
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Manufacturer: General Motors
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Assembly Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana; Silao, Mexico (some models)
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Why It’s American: Many Silverado models are built in Indiana with a high percentage of domestic components.
10. Ford F-150
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Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
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Assembly Location: Dearborn, Michigan; Claycomo, Missouri
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Why It’s American: The F-150 is the best-selling truck in America and is assembled domestically with substantial American-made content.
Automakers with the Largest U.S. Presence
1. General Motors (Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Buick)
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Headquarters: Detroit, Michigan
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Manufacturing Locations: Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana, Texas, Tennessee, Missouri
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Popular American-Made Models: Chevrolet Corvette, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Cadillac XT5
2. Ford Motor Company
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Headquarters: Dearborn, Michigan
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Manufacturing Locations: Michigan, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri
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Popular American-Made Models: Ford F-150, Ford Bronco, Ford Mustang
3. Stellantis (Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Dodge)
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Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands (formerly FCA, Chrysler in Detroit)
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Manufacturing Locations: Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana
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Popular American-Made Models: Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango, Ram 1500
4. Tesla, Inc.
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Headquarters: Austin, Texas
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Manufacturing Locations: California, Texas
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Popular American-Made Models: Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model S, Tesla Model X
5. Honda (Honda, Acura)
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Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
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Manufacturing Locations: Ohio, Alabama, Indiana
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Popular American-Made Models: Honda Accord, Honda Passport, Acura MDX
6. Toyota (Toyota, Lexus)
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Headquarters: Toyota City, Japan
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Manufacturing Locations: Kentucky, Indiana, Texas, Mississippi
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Popular American-Made Models: Toyota Camry, Toyota Tundra, Lexus RX
Why Buy American-Made Cars?
1. Supporting the U.S. Economy
Buying American-made vehicles keeps manufacturing jobs in the U.S. and boosts local economies.
2. Quality and Reliability
Many American-made vehicles are known for their durability and craftsmanship.
3. Better Parts Availability
Domestically produced vehicles often have easier access to replacement parts, making repairs more convenient.
4. Lower Environmental Impact
Buying vehicles produced closer to home reduces carbon emissions associated with overseas shipping.
Conclusion
Determining what cars are made in America is not as simple as looking at a brand name. Many foreign automakers produce vehicles in the U.S., while some American companies manufacture cars overseas. Factors like assembly location, domestic parts content, and labor force contribution all play a role in deciding how “American” a vehicle truly is.
If you’re in the market for a new car and want to support American jobs, consider models from brands with significant U.S. manufacturing operations, such as Ford, General Motors, Tesla, and even certain Honda and Toyota models. No matter which car you choose, researching where and how it’s built will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your values.
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