The 2023 Ford Mustang currently ranks as the car with the highest American-made index, according to the annual study by Cars.com. This ranking is based on a combination of factors including the percentage of domestic parts content, final assembly location, and U.S. workforce involvement.
The American-Made Index (AMI) evaluates vehicles sold in the U.S. on a scale from 0 to 100. A higher score indicates a greater contribution to the American economy. The Mustang, assembled in Flat Rock, Michigan, scored a 100, meaning its manufacturing footprint is almost entirely within the United States. It's important to understand that "100% American-made" is a complex idea; the index measures the relative American economic impact of a vehicle's production compared to all others on the market.
Here is a look at the top 10 vehicles from the 2023 index, which demonstrates that American-made cars come from several manufacturers beyond the "Big Three":
| Rank | Vehicle | Model Year | AMI Score | Assembly Location |
|---|
| 1 | Ford Mustang | 2023 | 100 | Flat Rock, MI |
| 2 | Tesla Model Y | 2023 | 98 | Austin, TX / Fremont, CA |
| 3 | Tesla Model 3 | 2023 | 96 | Fremont, CA |
| 4 | Honda Passport | 2023 | 89 | Lincoln, AL |
| 5 | Tesla Model X | 2023 | 88 | Fremont, CA |
| 6 | Tesla Model S | 2023 | 87 | Fremont, CA |
| 7 | Lincoln Corsair | 2023 | 85 | Louisville, KY |
| 8 | Jeep Gladiator | 2023 | 84 | Toledo, OH |
| 9 | Jeep Cherokee | 2023 | 82 | Belvidere, IL |
| 10 | Honda Odyssey | 2023 | 81 | Lincoln, AL |
When considering an American-made car, look beyond the brand name. A Honda or Toyota built in Alabama or Texas often has a higher domestic content than a Chevrolet or Ford assembled in Mexico or Canada. The key is to research the specific model's final assembly plant and its domestic parts content percentage, which is required by the American Automobile Labeling Act.
