Tesla Is The Most American-Made Car Brand

Chris Teague
by Chris Teague

Many people think the Detroit Big Three brands are the most American cars on our roads, but that’s not the case. Cars.com recently released its list of the most American-made car brands, and the name topping the list may surprise you.


According to the publication, Tesla is the most American car brand, with 100 percent of its sales coming from vehicles produced domestically. Ford is the next closest with 77.5 percent, and Honda landed at number three with 73.1 percent. 


Not surprisingly, Ferrari, McLaren, and Tata – makers of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles – don’t produce any domestically. Volvo only produces 4 percent of its vehicles here, but the real shocker is that General Motors only built 54 percent of its vehicles in the United States.


These numbers may shift in favor of American production in the coming years as automakers look to localize production and take advantage of federal tax credits. Hyundai, Kia, Volvo, and Volkswagen are just a few of the major automakers looking to bring EV production to the United States, and others are sure to jump in as time goes on.


In terms of specific models that are the most American, Tesla’s catalog tops the list, but the Honda Passport is the first non-Tesla vehicle, landing at number 5. The VW ID.4, Honda Odyssey, Acura MDX, Honda Ridgeline, and Acura RDX round out the top ten list.


[Image: Tesla]


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Chris Teague
Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

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  • Alan Alan on Jun 21, 2023

    A large proportion of vehicle buyers really don't give a rats where a vehicle is manufactured as much as they care where their spatula or coffee mug is made. It appears the only people who care are the minority. Motor vehicles are an appliance to serve a purpose of getting to and from work, the supermarket and school.


    I'll hand it to Tesla for what they have done (I think Melon Musk is an azzhole). Tesla is also manufacturing in the EU and China. Whilst many on this site have a "murica f#@k Yeah" attitude China is slowly advancing in the EV world actuctually quicker than you think and TTAC really needs to have articles on China's auto industry and the rest of the world. If TTAC can achieve this then the Truth will come out to inform those uninformed. As many B&B on TTAC blow wind up their azzes about "murica and put down Chinese manufacturing they must be realistic and understand China is a real threat and CAN manufacture as well as anyone. Technology is the answer, this is where "murica leads, not automobiles, electric jugs and fridges.

    • Redapple2 Redapple2 on Jun 22, 2023

      I pay attention to % UAW content. I eliminate it from my purchases. I ve been in over 100 auto plants in my 40 yr career. I have witnessed 100 s of examples of waste, sloth, corruption, obfuscation, delay and intentional slow walking by UAW members that i never see in non uaw shops. This cost is an extra ~~ 25% for labor and is a tax; a uaw tax. I ve seen no benefits. It hurts cost and quality and reduces free $ for extra features. So, Honda, subaru, land rover and toyota have gotten my $.


  • Cprescott Cprescott on Jun 22, 2023

    Thankfully I don't need them. I don't like the cars and their features and have no reason to get a golf cart to replace my ICE car.

    • Lou_BC Lou_BC on Jun 22, 2023

      "ICE is better at moving forward"

      That's kinda true. ICE can have 10 forward gears and one reverse.


  • Akear Akear on Jun 22, 2023

    GM is disgraceful in so many ways it is hard to keep track

  • Stuart de Baker Stuart de Baker on Jun 22, 2023

    My '08 Honda Civic was made in Marysville Ohio. After reading Redapple2's comment, that may be why, at 152k, I've had more repairs than I would have expected. (New AC at 80k, new alternator around 130k, and a couple of other equally major repairs, but the engine has been terrific, and it's a great car to drive. I have no desire to replace it.

    • See 1 previous
    • Don't Don't on Jun 25, 2023

      Where it's made is more indicative of initial QC issues. Who and how the parts were designed and made are for longer term failure. It's no accident that parts are very expensive and major issues make you start thinking about replacement. I kept a 03 Pilot bought on Jan 2 03 for 200k. Wouldn't do it again.



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