how many american car companies are there

[SanNaomi]

The number of American car companies is fluid, but currently, there are three major legacy automakers—General Motors (GM), Ford, and Stellantis (the parent of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram). Beyond these giants, the landscape includes a growing number of electric vehicle (EV) startups like Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid Motors. When you factor in smaller, specialized manufacturers (like those building supercars or commercial vehicles), the total number of companies designing and selling cars under their own brand in the U.S. exceeds a dozen.

The definition of an "American" company can be complex. While brands like Toyota and Honda have massive manufacturing footprints in the U.S., they are headquartered in Japan. Conversely, Tesla, now the most valuable automaker, is headquartered in Texas. The following table highlights some of the key players often considered in this count.

Company/Brand Group	Headquarters Location	Notable Brands/Examples	Status
General Motors (GM)	Detroit, Michigan	Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Buick	Legacy Automaker
Ford Motor Company	Dearborn, Michigan	Ford, Lincoln	Legacy Automaker
Stellantis	Amsterdam (NA HQ: Auburn Hills, MI)	Jeep, Ram, Dodge, Chrysler	Legacy Automaker
Tesla, Inc.	Austin, Texas	Model S, Model 3, Model Y, Cybertruck	EV Manufacturer
Rivian Automotive	Irvine, California	R1T, R1S, Electric Delivery Vans	EV Startup
Lucid Motors	Newark, California	Lucid Air	EV Startup
Nikola Corporation	Phoenix, Arizona	Electric Semi-Trucks	Commercial EV
Polaris Inc.	Medina, Minnesota	Polaris Slingshot	Specialty Vehicle
Hennessey Performance	Sealy, Texas	Venom F5 (hypercar)	Low-Volume Manufacturer

The American automotive industry is defined by its Big Three legacy automakers, but it's increasingly shaped by EV innovators. Tesla’s rise has fundamentally changed the competitive landscape, proving that a new American company can not only survive but lead. The success of these newer companies is heavily reliant on production scalability and consumer adoption of electric vehicles. For anyone following the industry, the most exciting developments are happening at the intersection of Detroit's manufacturing muscle and Silicon Valley's tech-driven disruptors.

[StGrant]

Honestly, if you're thinking of the classic American car companies, it's really the Big Three: Ford, GM, and what used to be Chrysler (now Stellantis). That's the core answer. But today, you gotta include Tesla. They're a huge part of the conversation now. So, I'd say there are three traditional giants and one massive new player that's changed everything. After that, you get into the smaller EV startups that are still finding their footing.

[OKathryn]

From a business perspective, the count depends on the criteria. If we consider publicly traded companies headquartered in the U.S. that mass-produce light-duty vehicles, the number is small. You have the established players—Ford and GM—and the dominant new entrant, Tesla. Stellantis, while operating major brands here, is globally headquartered in the Netherlands. Then there's a tier of other publicly traded companies like Rivian. The market is concentrated, with significant barriers to entry, but innovation in EVs is creating new opportunities.

[MacEmery]

My dad worked for one of the big car companies his whole life, so I grew up with this. Back then, everyone knew the Big Three: Ford, Chevy (which is GM), and Chrysler. That was it. Now I have to explain to him that Chrysler is part of this big international company, and that a computer company from California (Tesla) is the one to watch. It's wild. The heart of American cars is still in Detroit, but the brain has moved somewhere else. There are still the big names we know, but the story is a lot more complicated.

[McBrady]

Looking just at brands on the road today, you see the obvious ones: Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Jeep, Ram, and Lincoln. That's seven major brands right there, mostly under the GM, Ford, and Stellantis umbrellas. Then you have Tesla's entire lineup. Add in Rivian's trucks and SUVs, and Lucid's sedans, which are becoming more common. You also can't forget specialty builders like Hennessey. So while the corporate parents are fewer, the number of distinct American-branded vehicles available to consumers is actually quite significant and growing, especially with the electric revolution.