Discover why foreign automakers dominate the American‑made car rankings and what it means for US buyers. Read the full analysis now!
Cars.com’s newly released American‑Made Index (AMI) rates how “domestic” a vehicle truly is, based on where it’s assembled, the percentage of parts sourced from the United States and Canada, and the origin of its engine and transmission.
Why the “Made in USA” label matters now
Recent tariff policies and the ongoing trade‑war climate have pushed automakers to highlight American‑made credentials. A higher AMI score can translate into tax advantages and stronger appeal to U.S. shoppers who value locally produced goods.
Foreign brands dominate the top 20
Surprisingly, twelve of the twenty vehicles with the highest AMI scores are from non‑American manufacturers. The list includes several models from Toyota and Honda, each building cars in Southern states such as Alabama and Kentucky.
- Toyota – 14 models in the broader 86‑vehicle study
- Honda – 13 models
General Motors contributes 13 models, while Ford appears with nine. Stellantis (owner of Jeep, Dodge, and others) has six high‑scoring models, largely produced in Canada and Mexico.
Top‑ranked “American‑Made” models
The Tesla Model 3 and Model Y take the top spots, both built at the Fremont plant in California. They are followed by the Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Positions five through eleven belong to foreign‑made vehicles assembled in the United States:
- Honda Ridgeline (Alabama)
- Honda Odyssey (Alabama)
- Lexus TX 350 (engine and transmission now U.S.‑made)
- Honda Accord
- Acura MDX
- Honda Passport
- Toyota Camry
Electric and luxury surprises
Even the Cadillac Lyriq, a flagship American EV, scores lower on the AMI than the German BMW X5, Mercedes‑Benz GLE, and Japanese Infiniti QX60, all of which are assembled in U.S. plants.
General Motors’ electric lineup also trails behind several European and Asian models when the AMI calculation includes engine and transmission origins.
How tariffs are reshaping the scores
Cars.com notes that tariff‑driven incentives have prompted manufacturers to increase the share of U.S.‑sourced components. The Jeep Grand Cherokee, for example, boosted its AMI ranking by 66 places after raising its American‑made parts share by 14 %.
Lexus’s TX 350 jumped 34 spots largely because its powertrain is now produced domestically.
What’s missing from the list?
The index focuses on light‑duty passenger cars under 3,855 kg, so larger trucks like the Tesla Cybertruck and full‑size pickups are excluded, regardless of where they’re built.
Industry insight
Patrick Masterson, senior analyst at Cars.com, says that about 67 % of the highest‑scoring vehicles this year belong to foreign brands. “It surprises many consumers, but it also highlights how complex modern automotive manufacturing really is,” he explains.
For U.S. buyers, the takeaway is clear: a “Made in USA” badge no longer guarantees a purely domestic vehicle, and looking at the AMI score can give a more accurate picture of a car’s true American content.
Stay informed and choose wisely – explore the full AMI report to see where your next car really comes from.