what cars are still made in the usa

[IsabelleFitz]

Many popular cars are still manufactured in the United States, primarily by the "Detroit Three"—Ford, General Motors (GM), and Stellantis (formerly Fiat Chrysler). However, several international automakers like Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz also have significant production plants here. The key is distinguishing between assembly and parts sourcing. A car is considered "built" in the U.S. if over a certain percentage of its components are domestic. The American Automobile Labeling Act (ALLA) requires this information on the vehicle's window sticker.

Models like the Ford F-150, the bestselling vehicle in America for decades, are assembled in Michigan and Missouri. The Tesla Model Y, a dominant force in the electric vehicle (EV) market, is produced in Texas and California. Toyota's Camry and RAV4 are mainstays of their respective segments and are built in Kentucky and Indiana, respectively.

The Kogod Made in America Auto Index is a respected authority that scores vehicles based on U.S. manufacturing content. It considers factors like profit margin, labor, and parts origin. The following table lists some of the highest-ranking models for the 2024 model year, demonstrating the diversity of American-made vehicles.

Vehicle Model	Assembly Location	U.S. Content Percentage (Est.)	Key Notes
Tesla Model Y	Austin, TX; Fremont, CA	High	Leading EV with extensive domestic manufacturing.
Ford F-150	Dearborn, MI; Kansas City, MO	High	Iconic pickup truck with deep U.S. supply chain.
Jeep Gladiator	Toledo, OH	High	Off-road capable truck built in a historic plant.
Honda Passport	Lincoln, AL	High	Mid-size SUV from a brand with deep U.S. roots.
Toyota Camry	Georgetown, KY	Medium-High	Long-running sedan from a major Kentucky plant.
Chevrolet Corvette	Bowling Green, KY	Medium-High	American sports car icon assembled in Kentucky.
BMW X5	Spartanburg, SC	Medium	Luxury SUV exported globally from South Carolina.
Hyundai Santa Fe	Montgomery, AL	Medium	Popular SUV supporting Alabama's manufacturing.

When considering an American-made car, it's not just about the final assembly point. Researching the specific model's production location and parts content will give you the clearest picture of its domestic economic impact.

[SanSamuel]

Honestly, if you want a car made here, just stick with the classics. Think Ford, Chevy, and Ram trucks. My F-150 was built in Michigan, and it feels like a real piece of American manufacturing. But don't ignore the foreign brands that set up shop here. My neighbor's Honda Pilot was made in Alabama, and it's been rock-solid. It's more about the factory than the badge on the grill these days.

[MasonFitz]

From an engineering standpoint, the location of final assembly is just one part of the story. The real measure is the domestic parts content, as tracked by the ALLA. A vehicle like the Jeep Cherokee, assembled in Illinois, may have a different domestic parts percentage than a Toyota Tundra built in Texas. The most "American" cars often come from plants with deeply integrated local supply chains, such as those for full-size trucks and SUVs. It's a complex supply chain puzzle.

[AdrianMarie]

I always check the window sticker before buying. The law requires it to show the percentage of U.S./Canadian parts. It’s eye-opening. You might assume a Tesla is 100% American, but like any car, it uses globally sourced components. Conversely, a BMW from South Carolina has a high level of U.S. content. For me, it’s about supporting local jobs. Buying a car from a plant in Ohio or Alabama has a real, positive impact on that community, regardless of the company's headquarters.

[McBenjamin]

The landscape has completely changed. It's not just Detroit anymore. I was surprised to learn that the South is a huge hub for car manufacturing. Brands like Mercedes, Kia, and Volvo all build vehicles here for the U.S. and global markets. The definition of "American-made" is now about jobs at the factory. If you're looking for a new car and want to support U.S. manufacturing, your options are wider than ever, spanning from electric trucks to luxury SUVs, all built by American workers.