what cars are not made in the us

[VonMaya]

Many popular cars sold in the U.S. are manufactured elsewhere. Brands like Toyota, Honda, and BMW have extensive U.S. plants, but a significant number of models, especially subcompacts, luxury vehicles, and those from European or Korean brands, are imported. The key factor is the final assembly point, which is listed on the vehicle's window sticker. This doesn't necessarily reflect the origin of all parts but indicates where the car was put together.

A common misconception is that a brand's country of origin dictates where a specific model is built. For example, while Honda builds the Accord and CR-V in the U.S., the Civic Hatchback is primarily sourced from the UK. Similarly, many American-brand vehicles, like the Ford Bronco Sport, are assembled in Mexico.

Car Model	Brand Origin	Primary Assembly Location(s)
Kia Telluride	South Korea	West Point, Georgia, USA
Honda Civic Hatchback	Japan	Swindon, UK / Greensburg, Indiana, USA
Mercedes-Benz GLE	Germany	Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
Toyota Camry	Japan	Georgetown, Kentucky, USA / others
Ford Bronco Sport	USA	Hermosillo, Mexico
BMW X5	Germany	Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA
Mazda CX-30	Japan	Salamanca, Mexico
Subaru Crosstrek	Japan	Lafayette, Indiana, USA
Volvo S60	Sweden	Charleston, South Carolina, USA
Chevrolet Blazer	USA	Ramos Arizpe, Mexico

To be certain, always check the Monroney sticker (the window sticker) on any new car. It is legally required to list the final assembly point and the percentage of U.S./Canadian parts content. This is the most accurate way to know where a specific vehicle was built.

[StJameson]

I always check the window sticker. The "final assembly point" line tells you everything. My last car was a Mazda, a Japanese brand, but it was built in Mexico. My neighbor's Honda Pilot was made in Alabama. Brand name doesn't mean much anymore. It’s all about global supply chains. If you want a car built by American workers, you have to look at the specific model, not just the logo on the grille.

[Gandalf]

From a manufacturing perspective, it's inefficient to build every model in the U.S. Smaller, less popular cars like the Kia Rio or Mitsubishi Mirage are almost always imported because the sales volume doesn't justify a dedicated U.S. assembly line. It's more cost-effective to build them in a centralized global plant and ship them. High-end European luxury cars from brands like Porsche and Land Rover are also typically imported to maintain a perception of exclusivity and specialized craftsmanship tied to their home countries.

[VonBradley]

It's a mix. A lot of folks are surprised that their 'American' SUV might come from Canada or Mexico. On the flip side, your 'foreign' Toyota or BMW was likely put together by workers in Kentucky or South Carolina. The auto industry is completely global now. If you're concerned about buying a car built in the USA, your best bet is to research the specific model and trim level you want, as the build location can even vary within a single model line.

[ODiana]

Think about it in segments. Nearly all minicompacts and subcompacts, like the Mini Cooper or Hyundai Accent, are imported. Most sports cars, such as the Porsche 911 and Mazda MX-5 Miata, are built overseas. The majority of vehicles from exclusively European brands like Audi, Volvo (for most models), and Jaguar Land Rover are also imported. Even within American brands, certain sedans and smaller SUVs are often assembled in Mexico to keep costs competitive, while their larger trucks and SUVs are typically U.S.-built.