The most American-made vehicles this year are the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, according to an annual ranking that shows foreign automakers now lead in domestic content.
Foreign brands claimed 65% of the 86 spots in this year’s American-Made Index. The study evaluates vehicles based on assembly location, parts sourcing, and workforce. Toyota and Honda alone accounted for 27 entries—more than General Motors and nearly triple Ford’s count.
Related: Range Rover price slash highlights EV market struggle
The top two positions went to Tesla, whose models are assembled in Fremont, California. The Jeep Gladiator and Grand Cherokee followed, both built in the Midwest. The next seven spots were all foreign-branded vehicles, including the Honda Ridgeline, Lexus TX 350, and Toyota Camry.
The index’s methodology includes five factors: final assembly location, U.S. and Canadian parts content, engine and transmission origin, and the size of the domestic manufacturing workforce. Vehicles over 8,500 pounds, like the Tesla Cybertruck, were excluded regardless of production location.
Electric vehicles led the top rankings, though not all performed well. The Tesla Model S and Model X were dropped due to low sales, while the Kia EV9, built in Georgia, debuted at 17th. The full list includes 100 entries when accounting for variants like the Lincoln Navigator L, though the core ranking covers 86 nameplates.
Related: Gordon Murray brings full force to Goodwood
“Nearly two-thirds of this year’s list was produced by foreign automakers,” said an editor at the study’s publisher. “It often surprises consumers, but it reflects how global automotive supply chains operate.”
The Alabama-built Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline ranked fifth and sixth. The Toyota Camry, assembled in Kentucky, took 12th. Stellantis, which owns Jeep, had only six models on the list, a result of its reliance on Canadian and Mexican production.
Some brands don’t fit simple labels. The Ford Mustang, a cultural icon, ranked 22nd but is also built in Canada. The Hyundai Santa Cruz, a small pickup, placed 24th despite its South Korean parent company. While GM had 13 entries, its highest-ranking model appeared outside the top 20.
Related: Pressure Under Control: The Complete Guide to Brake Hose Maintenance
The ranking makes clear that “American-made” depends on parts sourcing and assembly location, not brand loyalty. A Toyota Tundra built in Texas can outrank a Chevrolet Silverado assembled in Mexico. Even the Mercedes GLE, a German luxury SUV, placed higher than some domestic trucks because of its Alabama plant and local parts.
Next year’s ranking may shift as tariffs reshape supply chains and automakers adjust production.