
Several car brands are considered American, but the key distinction is between those headquartered in the US and those that manufacture a significant number of vehicles here. The most prominent US-headquartered brands are the "Big Three": Ford, General Motors (GM), and Stellantis (formerly Chrysler). However, many international brands also have major manufacturing plants in the United States, meaning a "foreign" brand like Toyota or Honda often builds cars that are just as American as a Ford or Chevrolet.
When evaluating how "American" a car is, a reliable resource is the Kogod School of Business Made in America Auto Index, which considers factors beyond just final assembly location, including parts content, engine and transmission origins, and R&D investment.
The following table lists major brands with significant US manufacturing presence, highlighting their headquarters and examples of popular models assembled stateside.
| Brand | Headquarters Country | Popular Models Assembled in the US |
|---|---|---|
| Ford | USA | Ford F-150, Ford Explorer, Ford Mustang |
| Chevrolet (GM) | USA | Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Corvette |
| Jeep (Stellantis) | USA | Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler |
| Tesla | USA | Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model S |
| Toyota | Japan | Toyota Camry, Toyota Tundra, Toyota RAV4 |
| Honda | Japan | Honda Accord, Honda CR-V, Honda Odyssey |
| BMW | Germany | BMW X3, BMW X5, BMW X7 |
| Hyundai | South Korea | Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Elantra |
| Kia | South Korea | Kia Telluride, Kia Sorento |
| Mercedes-Benz | Germany | Mercedes-Benz GLE, Mercedes-Benz GLS |
| Nissan | Japan | Nissan Altima, Nissan Rogue |
| Volkswagen | Germany | Volkswagen Atlas, Volkswagen ID.4 |
| Rivian | USA | Rivian R1T, Rivian R1S |
| Lucid Motors | USA | Lucid Air |
It's important to understand that for a car to be officially labeled as "domestic" in the US, it only needs a final assembly point in the US or Canada. This is why many vehicles from international brands still qualify. The most accurate picture comes from looking at the specific manufacturing plant of the model you're interested in, often indicated on the vehicle's window sticker.

You've got the classic American brands like Ford, Chevy, and Ram trucks. But honestly, the lines are super blurry now. My Honda SUV was built in Ohio, and my neighbor's Toyota pickup rolls off a line in Texas. If you're looking for a car supporting US jobs, you can't just go by the badge on the hood. You have to check where that specific model was actually put together. A lot of "foreign" cars are more American than you'd think.

From an economic standpoint, focusing on brands that manufacture in the US is crucial. While Ford, GM, and Stellantis have deep roots, the investments by Toyota, Honda, BMW, and Hyundai in massive US plants are equally significant. These facilities employ tens of thousands of Americans and rely on extensive domestic supply chains. The real story isn't just about brand origin, but about the economic footprint of the vehicle's assembly, including where its parts are sourced.

I always look at it through a tech innovation lens. Brands like Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid Motors are not only headquartered in the US, but they are also designing and manufacturing groundbreaking electric vehicles here. They represent a new chapter in American automotive leadership. Even established players like Ford with the Mustang Mach-E or GM with the Cadillac Lyriq are focusing EV production in the States. The future of US auto manufacturing is increasingly electric.

For a straightforward list, the main US-headquartered car companies are Ford, General Motors (which makes Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC), and Stellantis North America (which produces Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram). Then you have the new electric vehicle makers like Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid. But remember, many models from brands like Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai are also built in the US, so the definition of an "American car" isn't as simple as it used to be.


