By The Car Coach Lauren Fix
Many Americans consider where the products they buy are made in hopes their purchase will contribute to the US economy. With Independence Day around the corner, car shoppers who want to buy an American-made vehicle, Cars.com’s American-Made Index analyzed a range of factors to determine just how American is your next car or truck.
More than 125 different vehicle nameplates have been manufactured in the US for model year 2021. However, the most American-made car is more than just being produced in a factory in the states. The many other factors include the percentage of US parts, country of origin for engine and transmissions, and US employees.
The results may surprise you as the top spot went to all-electric carmaker for the first time in the 16-year history of the survey.
| Number | Make/Model | Place of assembly | Price |
| 1. | Tesla Model 3 | Fremont, CA | $39,990 |
| 2. | Ford Mustang | Flat Rock, MI | $27,205 |
| 3. | Tesla Model Y | Fremont, CA | $51,990 |
| 4. | Jeep Cherokee | Belvidere, IL | $27,210 |
| 5. | Chevrolet Corvette | Bowling Green, KY | $59,990 |
| 6. | Honda Ridgeline | Lincoln, AL | $36,490 |
| 7. | Honda Odyssey | Lincoln, AL | $31,790 |
| 8. | Honda Pilot | Lincoln, AL | $32,550 |
| 9. | Honda Passport | Lincoln, AL | $32,790 |
| 10. | Toyota Tundra | San Antonio, TX | $34,205 |
So, what happened to the following makes and models:
| 15. | GMC Canyon | Wentzville, MO | $26,800 |
| 29. | Ford F150 | Dearborn, MI & Claycomo, MO | $29,290 |
| 42. | Ram 1500 | Sterling Heights, MI | $32,795 |
| 74. | Chevy Silverado 1500 | Roanoke, IN | $29,300 |
In 2020, Ford took top honors in Cars.com’s survey as the Most American-Made Car with its Ford Ranger.
But wait, there is more…
A federal law passed in 1992 called the American Automobile Labeling Act (AALA) is supposed to help shoppers know where parts are made and where vehicles are assembled. The labeling that the law requires has its plus and minuses, but some provisions make it more confusing.
Here are the results of a survey with 2000 consumers about the “Buy American” label. A
- Seventy-five percent said it has to be manufactured within the US.
- Fifty-two percent said it has to be made by a US company.
- Forty-seven percent said it needs to be made from parts produced in the US.
- Twenty-five percent said it must be designed by an American.
Here’s the Bottom Line
What is an American car?
That’s a tricky question to answer. “American-Made” is often in the eye of the car shopper and the carmaker. However, there are many factors and loyalties by consumers.
Check out the discounts on specific models during the Independence Day weekend.
The top deals will likely be for the Nissan Leaf, Chevy Bolt EV, Ford Eco Sport, and Hyundai Ioniq, all high fuel-efficient vehicles.
Lauren Fix, The Car Coach®, is a nationally recognized automotive expert, analyst, author, and television host. A trusted car expert, Lauren provides an insider’s perspective on a wide range of automotive topics and aspects, energy, industry, consumer news, and safety issues.
Lauren is the CEO of Automotive Aspects and the Editor-in-Chief of Car Coach Reports, a global automotive news outlet. She is an automotive contributor to national and local television news shows, including Fox News, Fox Business, CNN International, The Weather Channel, Inside Edition, Local Now News, Community Digital News, and more. Lauren also co-hosts a regular show on ABC.com with Paul Brian called “His Turn – Her Turn” and hosts regular radio segments on USA Radio – DayBreak.
Lauren is honored to be inducted into the Women’s Transportation Hall of Fame and a Board Member of the Buffalo Motorcar Museum, and Juror / President for the North American Car, Utility & Truck of the Year Awards.
Check her out on Twitter and Instagram @LaurenFix.
