(WWJ) When those of us here in the Detroit area think about American vehicles, we think Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Jeep, etc. But for the sixth year in a row Tesla tops cars.com’s annual “American Made Index,” the publications listing of the most “American” vehicles. Tesla’s Model 3 sedan is in first place, closely followed by the Model Y SUV.
“All of their qualifying vehicles are made solely in the U.S., in Texas and California specifically,” says the studies author Patrick Masterson. “Two, these vehicles all have a higher than average domestic parts content percentage.”
The study looks at where the vehicles are built, where parts came from, and the impact on employment. Three hundred fifty vehicles were evaluated. A total of 86 vehicles made the final list, which, Masterson says is a mix of foreign and domestic brands.
Top 20 list
cars.com
“Notably, nearly two-thirds of this year’s list was produced by foreign automakers, about the same as in 2025, while the Detroit Three still holds approximately one-third of the vehicles.”
Honda and Acura, for example, had five vehicles in the top ten. However the Jeep Gladiator finished in third place, and the Detroit-built Grand Cherokee was right behind in fifth place.
“It was our biggest mover upward this year,” says Masterson. “The reason for that is pretty simple, actually. The US-Canadian parts content percentage rose a staggering fourteen percent year over year. That’s pretty unusual for a year over year model change.”
General Motors had the most vehicles on the full list, with 13. Ford had 9 and Stellantis brands 6
The overall findings are similar to earlier years, even as the Trump administration has used tariffs to try to push carmakers to do more manufacturing in the United States. But moving manufacturing takes time. Several investments have been announced that could have an impact on future studies of this type.
Cars.com director of research and insights Amee Lindaas says tariffs are already having an impact on car shoppers.
“Tariffs are pushing these shoppers to consider American made vehicles, with 42 percent saying that tariffs have made them more likely to buy an American made vehicle.”
