Which Cars Are the Most American? You'd Be Surprised
Buying American used to mean one thing: buying from the Big Three—Ford, GM, or Chrysler. But the American car market has changed, and so has what it means for a vehicle to be 'American-made.' Thanks to an increasingly global supply chain, it's no longer about the logo on the hood—it's about where a car is assembled, where its parts come from, and how many U.S. workers it supports.
That's exactly what the annual Cars.com American-Made Index tries to capture. The list considers five key factors: final assembly location, percentage of U.S. and Canadian parts, country of origin for the engine and transmission, and the size of the automaker's U.S. manufacturing workforce. For 2025, Cars.com analyzed more than 400 models and narrowed the final ranking down to the top 100. Here's a deeper look at the 10 most American-made cars of 2025 and what they reveal about the auto industry right now.
The Tesla Model 3 takes the top spot as the most American-made car of 2025, and it's not even close. From its assembly line in Fremont, California, to its heavy reliance on domestic suppliers, the Model 3 checks nearly every box for American manufacturing. It's also the most affordable Tesla, making it an increasingly common sight on U.S. roads.
What helps the Model 3 stay at the top is Tesla's deep vertical integration. Unlike legacy automakers that rely on dozens of outside suppliers, Tesla designs and builds many of its components in-house, often right in the U.S. That includes battery packs, motors, and software, all of which contribute to its dominant index score.
Tesla's most popular vehicle in the U.S. also happens to be the second-most American-made. The Model Y, a slightly larger crossover based on the Model 3 platform, is now being assembled at two factories—Fremont and Tesla's newer Gigafactory Texas, located just outside Austin.
This additional production capacity has helped the Model Y become one of the best-selling vehicles in the country, EV or not. And with so much of its supply chain based domestically, it's a major driver of U.S. manufacturing jobs.
Tesla's flagship luxury sedan may be aging, but it still ranks high on the American-made list. Built on the same Fremont line as the Model X, the Model S benefits from the same parts sourcing and workforce commitments as its more affordable siblings.
Though its sales numbers are far lower than the Model 3 or Y, the Model S still plays a crucial role in Tesla's product line—and in keeping high-tech manufacturing jobs stateside.
Rounding out Tesla's sweep of the top four is the Model X, the company's high-end electric SUV with signature Falcon-wing doors. Like the Model S, it shares a platform and assembly line with its sedan counterpart, and benefits from Tesla's U.S.-centric supply chain.
While pricey and polarizing in design, the Model X still holds strong appeal for buyers looking for a domestically produced luxury EV.
The first non-Tesla on the list is the Jeep Gladiator, a rugged pickup built alongside the Jeep Wrangler in Toledo. Despite being part of multinational automaker Stellantis, Jeep's U.S. manufacturing presence remains strong, and the Gladiator is a clear example.
Its position as the most American-made vehicle from a legacy U.S. brand may come as a surprise to those expecting to see a Ford or Chevy in the top five. With high domestic parts content and an all-American assembly team, the Gladiator delivers.
Kia's sleek all-electric EV6 earns its place on this list by being built at the company's Georgia plant—yes, really. As part of Kia's long-term investment in U.S. manufacturing, the EV6 became one of the first EVs from a Korean automaker to be assembled stateside.
That move not only helps it qualify for certain federal incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act, but also cements its status as a genuine contributor to American jobs. It's also a sign of how quickly the EV landscape and the definition of 'buying American' are changing.
Honda continues to prove that being a foreign automaker doesn't mean outsourcing production. The Ridgeline pickup is built in Lincoln, Alabama, alongside several other Honda models that also landed in the top 20.
Though the Ridgeline doesn't compete directly with the full-size trucks from Ford or Chevy, it remains a solid midsize option with serious U.S. manufacturing credentials.
The Odyssey minivan shares a production line with the Ridgeline and shows Honda's continued dominance in Alabama. While minivans may no longer be the flashiest vehicles on the road, the Odyssey remains a best-seller in its segment and a quietly important product for Honda's American operations.
Another Lincoln-built Honda, the Passport sits just below the Pilot in size and shares many components. Its strong position on the index reflects not only its domestic assembly, but also Honda's extensive use of American suppliers and labor.
Capping off the top 10 is a surprise from Germany. The Volkswagen ID.4 is the brand's first EV to be produced in the U.S., thanks to a massive investment in its Chattanooga plant. That shift has allowed VW to better meet U.S. demand, qualify for federal tax credits, and boost its American-made credentials.
It also makes the ID.4 the only German-branded vehicle in the top 20, a notable achievement given how many German automakers still rely heavily on European production for U.S.-bound vehicles.
What's clear from the 2025 rankings is that American manufacturing doesn't follow traditional brand lines anymore. Tesla, a relatively new player, dominates. Honda, Kia, and Volkswagen—all considered 'foreign'—are employing thousands of U.S. workers and building cars in Ohio, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee.
Meanwhile, some of Detroit's biggest names are slipping. Chevrolet's only top-20 entry is the Colorado pickup at 19th. Ford's F-150 Lightning just missed the top 20, landing at 22nd, while the Mustang fell to 56th. For buyers who care about American jobs and domestic manufacturing, this list offers an important reminder: Check the label—your next 'foreign' car might be more American than you think.
Which Cars Are the Most American? You'd Be Surprised first appeared on Autoblog on Jun 24, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Waymo Won't Like Tesla's Latest Robotaxi Announcement
Waymo Won't Like Tesla's Latest Robotaxi Announcement originally appeared on Autoblog. Elon Musk has confirmed that Tesla will expand its autonomous robotaxi rideshare service to San Francisco's Bay Area within the next couple of months, pending regulatory approvals. Tesla launched its robotaxis on June 22 in Austin, Texas, with around 12 Model Y SUVs, each containing a human safety monitor in the front passenger seat. Musk also said that Tesla's Austin robotaxis will expand their geofencing, or area of operation, this weekend. Tesla executives noted during the company's Q1 call that its main advantage over the undisputed leader in autonomous ridesharing, Waymo, was its ability to scale its robotaxis faster and for less money, and expanding to another city two to three months after launching would demonstrate this principle. Waymo kicked off its autonomous rideshare service in 2018 with safety drivers, transitioned away from using safety drivers in 2020, and didn't expand to another city in San Francisco until 2021. While Waymo spread to another city years before Tesla robotaxis touched ground in Austin, Tesla also has the advantage of developing its self-driving software as the U.S. government begins streamlining regulations surrounding the technology. In April, the Trump administration accelerated the U.S.'s rollout of autonomous vehicles by expanding a program that exempts some self-driving cars from specific safety requirements outside of commercial use, while streamlining the existing criteria for crash reporting of advanced driver assistance and self-driving systems. Transportation Department officials will no longer require manufacturers using Level 2 self-driving systems, like Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD), to report certain kinds of non-fatal crashes. Additionally, last month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that it's speeding up the review process for manufacturers deploying autonomous vehicles without traditional controls like steering wheels or pedals while providing more clarity on an application's requirements. Tesla's upcoming Cybercab, a purpose-built vehicle for its robotaxi service, won't contain a steering wheel or pedals. Still, Tesla's robotaxis aren't facing an easy road to expansion in San Francisco. Texas poses far fewer self-driving regulations for firms than California, which requires testing data for permits, something Tesla has been hesitant to release. In June, Reuters reported that Tesla was attempting to block Austin, Texas, from releasing public records to the news agency on its robotaxi trial. According to Reuters, a Tesla attorney wrote to Texas's Attorney General's office, citing the public records as containing 'confidential, proprietary, competitively sensitive commercial, and/or trade secret information' that would harm the automaker if released. Tesla announced that it will hold its Q2 earnings call this year on Wednesday, July 23. While providing concrete data for its robotaxis' expansion to another city would help boost investor morale after another rough quarter, the automaker likely won't have this news in time for the call, with permits pending. Musk has mostly shrugged off Tesla's recent and significant year-over-year sales declines, solidifying his focus on autonomous driving technology and robotics as the company's future. However, Tesla will likely share news about the production of a more affordable model, which was supposed to occur by the end of June, during the call. Waymo Won't Like Tesla's Latest Robotaxi Announcement first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 11, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
San Francisco Chronicle
4 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
New tax break for auto loans could save some buyers thousands of dollars. But will it boost sales?
Millions of people receive a federal tax deduction for the interest they pay on home loans. Under President Donald Trump's new tax-cut law, many people for the first time also could claim a tax deduction for interest on their vehicle loans. The new tax break will be available even to people who don't itemize deductions. But there are some caveats that could limit its reach. The vehicles must be new, not used. They must be assembled in the U.S. And the loans must be issued no sooner than this year, to list just a few qualifications. Candidate Trump promised an auto loan interest tax break Trump pledged while campaigning last year to make interest on car loans tax-deductible. He said it would make car ownership more affordable and 'stimulate massive domestic auto production.' The idea made it into the big tax-cut bill passed by Congress, which Trump signed into law July 4. The law allows taxpayers to deduct up to $10,000 of interest payments annually on loans for new American-made vehicles from 2025 through 2028. It applies to cars, motorcycles, sport utility vehicles, minivans, vans and pickup trucks weighing less than 14,000 pounds, a threshold referred to as light vehicles. But it only applies to vehicles purchased for personal use, not for fleets or commercial purposes. The tax break can be claimed starting on 2025 income tax returns. But the deduction phases out for individuals with incomes between $100,000 and $150,000 or joint taxpayers with incomes between $200,000 and $250,000. Those earning more cannot claim the tax break. Millions of buyers could benefit, but millions of others will not U.S. automobile dealers sold 15.9 million new light vehicles last year, a little over half of which were assembled in the U.S, according to Cox Automotive. It says around 60% of retail sales are financed with loans. After excluding fleet and commercial vehicles and customers above the income cutoff, an estimated 3.5 million new vehicle loans could be eligible for the tax break this year, if purchasing patterns stay the same, said Jonathan Smoke, chief economist at Cox Automotive. It's the assembly plant, not the automaker's headquarters that matters The tax break applies to vehicles assembled in the U.S., no matter where the company making them is headquartered. All Tesla vehicles sold in the U.S. are assembled in this country. But so are all Acura brands, the luxury model of Japanese automaker Honda. Last year, 78% of Ford vehicles sold in the U.S. were assembled in this country, according to Cox Automotive. But customers wanting the tax break will need to pay attention to specific models. While the Ford Mustang is assembled in Michigan, the Mustang Mach-E is built in Mexico. General Motors assembles all of its Cadillacs in the U.S. But just 44% of its Chevrolets sold last year were assembled in the U.S., and just 14% of Buicks, according to Cox Automotive. That's a lower U.S-assembled rate than Honda (60%), Toyota (52%) and Nissan (48%), which all are headquartered in Japan. Taxpayers could save hundreds of dollars a year The average new vehicle loan is about $44,000 financed over six years. Interest rates vary by customer, so the savings will, too. In general, the tax deduction will decline after the initial year, because interest payments on loans are frontloaded while principal payments grow on the back end. At a 9.3% interest rate, an average new vehicle buyer could save about $2,200 on taxes over four years, Smoke said. The tax savings would be less on a loan at 6.5%, which is the rate figured into calculations by the American Financial Services Association, a consumer credit industry trade group. Some people also could see a reduction in state income taxes Whereas the tax deduction for home loan interest can be claimed only by people itemizing on their tax returns, Congress wrote the deduction for auto loan interest so that it can apply to all taxpayers, including those claiming the standard deduction. On a tax form, the auto loan deduction will come before the calculation of a taxpayer's adjusted gross income. That's an important distinction, because many states use a taxpayer's federal adjusted gross income as the starting point for figuring their state income taxes. If that income figure is lower, it could reduce the state taxes owed. The verdict is out on whether the tax break will boost sales At Bowen Scarff Ford in Kent, Washington, customers started asking about the auto loan tax deduction before Congress had even taken a final vote on the tax-cut bill, said General Manager Paul Ray. So he decided to promote it on the dealer's website. A website ribbon exclaims: 'CAR LOAN TAX DEDUCTION NOW AVAILABLE" while also promoting an electric vehicle tax credit that is ending soon as a result of Trump's tax-cut law. 'I think it's going to help incentivize vehicle purchases through this year," Ray said. Celia Winslow, president and CEO of the American Financial Services Association, concurred: 'For some people deciding — should I buy it, should I not — this could be something that tips the scale.' Others remain skeptical. According to Smoke's math, the average annual tax savings is smaller than a single month's loan payment for a new vehicle. 'I don't think it moves the needle on somebody on the fence of buying a new vehicle or not," Smoke said. "But I think it could influence their decision to finance that vehicle instead of paying cash or instead of leasing a vehicle.'
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Contrarian Opinion: President Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" Could Give a Big Boost to Tesla Stock... for Now
President Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" seeks to roll back certain environmental tax subsidies put in place during the Biden administration. Tesla stock sold off following the bill's signing, as some investors likely see the removal of EV tax subsidies as a headwind for Tesla's growth. Contrarians might argue that the phaseout of these green energy tax credits could help Tesla right now. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › During the first half of 2025, the stock market was heavily influenced by new tariff policies introduced by the Trump administration. Now, a week into the second half of the year, President Donald Trump hasn't stopped introducing legislation that will further sway the direction of the capital markets. On July 4, Trump signed the "big, beautiful bill" into law. Like many pieces of legislation, the bill covers a variety of topics. But for this article specifically, I'm going to point out one particular section of the bill that I think could benefit Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA). Let's explore how the megabill could shake things up in the electric vehicle (EV) market and why Tesla could be a winner right now. Over the last several years, many businesses have made a cognizant effort to invest in sustainability and green energy solutions. This is more formally known as environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG). One reason corporations have explored ESG in recent years is because some of these initiatives are eligible for tax credits. ESG does not solely benefit corporations, though. Consumers also have the opportunity to benefit from green energy tax subsidies. For example, President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) included tax incentives in order to spur demand for EVs over traditional combustion engine vehicles. However, Trump's "big, beautiful bill" seeks to roll back some of these incentives. More specifically, EV tax credits are expected to be phased out by September. As the graph above illustrates, Tesla stock has not reacted well to the bill being passed. Shares took an initial nosedive in late June, as rumors swirled on Capitol Hill regarding the likelihood of the bill being passed. Following the bill being signed into law in early July, shares of Tesla sold off even further. The perception of EV subsidies going away might seem like an unwanted headwind for Tesla's business. But as a contrarian, I think there is more to the picture. In fact, I see Tesla benefiting from the removal of these EV tax credits. The table below breaks down Tesla's production and delivery stats around its EVs, as well as revenue growth figures for the EV business over the last six quarters. Category Q1 2024 Q2 2024 Q3 2024 Q4 2024 Q1 2025 Q2 2025 Production 433,371 410,831 469,796 459,445 362,615 410,244 Deliveries 386,810 443,956 462,890 495,570 336,681 384,122 Automotive revenue (YOY growth) (13%) (7%) 2% (8%) (20%) Not Yet Reported Data source: Tesla. YOY = year over year. For more than a year now, Tesla's production and delivery growth has been decelerating. As the EV revenue growth trends make clear, Tesla's largest source of sales has been decimated -- taking a toll on the company's overall profit margin. In my view, these uninspiring figures could suggest that consumers have been hesitant to purchase an EV for quite some time now. Even with the tax subsidies, EVs are still quite expensive. And with consumers potentially worried about inflation, transitioning to an EV has largely been seen as more of a luxury than a necessity for most consumers. However, with inflation improving and the phaseout of some ESG tax credits right around the corner, I think some consumer demographics may choose to finally purchase an EV in the coming months. For Tesla, the phaseout of EV tax credits could actually provide some much-needed demand tailwinds as consumers who were on the fence about buying an EV don't have much time left to take advantage of the subsidies. Given how much Tesla stock has sold off and the potential for the bill's removal of EV tax credits actually working in favor for the company, it might seem like now is a good time to buy the dip. Smart investors know there is more to the picture, though. Right now, Tesla stock is heavily influenced by several factors -- the "big, beautiful bill" being just one of them. In addition to Trump's new policies, Tesla stock is also moving based on narratives around the company's robotaxi launch last month, as well as news related to CEO Elon Musk's new political party formation. At the end of the day, Tesla may surprise investors with better-than-expected results during the second half of the year. However, my idea suggesting that the removal of EV tax credits could lead to demand for Tesla vehicles is a near-term catalyst. As far as the long-term picture is concerned, Tesla's EV growth remains cloudy. For these reasons, I would sit on the sidelines right now and continue monitoring Tesla's growth in order to get a better picture of the company's long-run trajectory. Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you'll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a 'Double Down' stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you're worried you've already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it's too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you'd have $425,583!* Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you'd have $40,324!* Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you'd have $674,432!* Right now, we're issuing 'Double Down' alerts for three incredible companies, available when you join , and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon.*Stock Advisor returns as of July 7, 2025 Adam Spatacco has positions in Tesla. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Tesla. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Contrarian Opinion: President Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" Could Give a Big Boost to Tesla Stock... for Now was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
