What is a truly American car? Is it a vehicle that has been a best-seller for decades like the Ford F-150 pick-up? Is it an iconic car like the Chevy Corvette? Is it a car that is used as a pace car at the Indianapolis 500? Or, is it a car that has the most parts made in America?
Cars.com has released the latest edition of its “American-Made Index,” evaluating 90 vehicles from a variety of manufacturers to determine the “most American cars.” Those vehicles at the top of the list are the leaders based on five yardsticks: assembly location, parts content, engine origins, transmission origins, and U.S. manufacturing workforce.”Â
The winner was the Tesla Model 3, the lower-priced model made by America’s leading electric car manufacturer. The publicly traded company, founded by serial entrepreneur Elon Musk, not only has the largest market share among electric vehicles sold in the U.S., but also the highest market capitalization among all auto manufacturers in the country at $647 billion. (Ford’s comparable figure is $61 billion, even though its revenue is several times bigger.)
Investors view Tesla as the car company of the future. Ford, by the same logic, is a car company of the past because it makes so many gas-powered cars. Ford management has set out to change that with electric models of several cars which include a new version of its top-selling F-150. (Not surprisingly, electric and hybrid vehicles are the most fuel-efficient brand new cars on the market.)
Looking at the balance of the top vehicles on the list, Cars.com experts commented: “Tesla has the No. 1 spot for the first time in the index’s 16-year history. The California electric vehicle maker’s compact sedan, the Model 3, topped the No. 2 Ford Mustang to lead the index for 2021; the Tesla Model Y, Jeep Cherokee and Chevrolet Corvette rounded out the top five models.” (It may hold two places in the top five, but you’ll be surprised where Tesla ranks in our list of the most and least dependable car brands in 2021.)
Click here to see the 20 most American-made cars you can buy.
No car from a foreign-based manufacturer made the top five list, though many of them include American-made parts and/or are built in this country. The top vehicle from non-U.S. car companies was No. 6, the Honda Ridgeline, the Japanese manufacturer’s pick-up, made in Lincoln, Alabama.
To determine the most American-made cars you can buy, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from Cars.com’s second annual American-Made Index which ranks all qualifying vehicles built and bought in the United States. The 2021 study ranked 90 vehicles through the same five major criteria: assembly location, parts content, engine origins, transmission origins and U.S. manufacturing workforce.
20. Lincoln Navigator and Navigator L
> Vehicle assembly location: Louisville, Kentucky
> 2020 rank: #54 (+34)
[in-text-ad]
Source: trangiap / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
19. Lexus ES
> Vehicle assembly location: Georgetown, Kentucky
> 2020 rank: #28 (+9)
24/7 Wall St.
Source: toyota.com
18. Toyota Avalon
> Vehicle assembly location: Georgetown, Kentucky
> 2020 rank: #29 (+11)
Source: Bryan Mitchell / Getty Images
17. Honda Accord
> Vehicle assembly location: Marysville, Ohio
> 2020 rank: #15 (-2)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: THEPALMER / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
16. Jeep Grand Cherokee
> Vehicle assembly location: Detroit, Michigan
> 2020 rank: #26 (+10)
Source: Bill Pugliano / Getty Images
15. GMC Canyon
> Vehicle assembly location: Wentzville, Montana
> 2020 rank: #11 (-4)
[in-text-ad]
14. Chevrolet Colorado
> Vehicle assembly location: Wentzville, Montana
> 2020 rank: #10 (-4)
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of Acura
13. Acura TLX
> Vehicle assembly location: Marysville, Ohio
> 2020 rank: #25 (+12)
12. Acura RDX
> Vehicle assembly location: East Liberty, Ohio
> 2020 rank: #14 (+2)
[in-text-ad-2]
11. Ford Expedition and Expedition Max
> Vehicle assembly location: Louisville, Kentucky
> 2020 rank: #20 (+9)
Source: toyota.com
10. Toyota Tundra
> Vehicle assembly location: San Antonio, Texas
> 2020 rank: #16 (+6)
[in-text-ad]
Source: DarthArt / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
9. Honda Passport
> Vehicle assembly location: Lincoln, Alabama
> 2020 rank: #7 (-2)
Source: automobiles.honda.com
8. Honda Pilot
> Vehicle assembly location: Lincoln, Alabama
> 2020 rank: #13 (+5)
Source: 152930510@N02 / Flickr
7. Honda, Odyssey
> Vehicle assembly location: Lincoln, Alabama
> 2020 rank: #5 (-2)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Courtesy of Honda
6. Honda Ridgeline
> Vehicle assembly location: Lincoln, Alabama
> 2020 rank: #6 (-0)
Source: Hirkophoto / Getty Images
5. Chevrolet Corvette
> Vehicle assembly location: Bowling Green, Kentucky
> 2020 rank: #8 (+3)
[in-text-ad]
Source: 152930510@N02 / Flickr
4. Jeep Cherokee
> Vehicle assembly location: Belvidere, Illinois
> 2020 rank: #2 (-2)
3. Tesla Model Y
> Vehicle assembly location: Fremont, California
> 2020 rank: Unranked
Source: Konoplytska / Getty Images
2. Ford Mustang
> Vehicle assembly location: Flat Rock, Michigan
> 2020 rank: #34 (+32)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: y_carfan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
1. Tesla Model 3
> Vehicle assembly location: Fremont, California
> 2020 rank: #4 (+3)
Sponsored: Attention Savvy Investors: Speak to 3 Financial Experts – FREE
Ever wanted an extra set of eyes on an investment you’re considering? Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply
clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help guide you through the financial decisions you’re making. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
