The 2025 American-Made Index, released by Cars.com, has revealed some interesting trends in the automotive industry. For the 20th consecutive year, the index evaluates vehicles based on five key metrics: final assembly location, proportion of US and Canadian parts, origin of the engine and transmission, and the number of US manufacturing employees. This year, Tesla dominates the top four slots with its electric models, including the Model 3, Model S, Model X, and Model Y. The Tesla models are followed by the Jeep Gladiator, Kia EV6, and Volkswagen ID.4.
The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) is a significant factor in the Index, with a majority of the top 10 vehicles being EVs for the first time. Tesla’s dominance is attributed to its vertically integrated supply chain and full domestic assembly in California and Texas. However, other manufacturers, such as Ford and GM, have significant representation on the list, with 15 GM models and 13 Ford models making the cut.
The Index highlights the complexity of the automotive industry, with many models being manufactured in different countries, including Mexico and Canada. Cars.com urges consumers to look beyond the brand’s origins and consider where the vehicle was actually built. The average price of an American-built car is $53,000, compared to $46,000 for Canadian-assembled and $42,000 for Mexican-built models.
The Index also notes that consumer demand for American-made vehicles is high, with around 60-70% of consumers willing to pay a premium to avoid tariffs. However, the reality is that no vehicle is entirely “American-made,” with global supply chains and parts sourcing making it impossible to manufacture a vehicle without international components.
The top 20 vehicles in the 2025 American-Made Index include a mix of electric and gas-powered models, with Tesla, Honda, and Volkswagen being well-represented. Notably absent from the top 10 are many full-size trucks, including the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Chevrolet Silverado. The Index underscores the importance of considering economic impact, rather than just geography, when evaluating the “American-ness” of a vehicle. As the automotive industry continues to evolve, the Index provides a nuanced gauge of the complex factors at play.