Report: The Top 10 American-Made Cars

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About half of shoppers say that they would pay more — an additional 30% — for a vehicle that helps create U.S. jobs, according to an automotive survey.

But which vehicles are considered “Made in the USA?”

Cars.com recently released its 2023 American-Made Index (AMI), which lists the top American-made vehicles.

The website based its rankings on five factors:

  • Location of final assembly
  • Percentage of U.S. and Canadian parts
  • U.S. factory employment relative to vehicle production
  • Country of origin for available engines
  • Country of origin for available transmissions

Which Car Ranks #1 Among American-Made Vehicles?

The Tesla Model Y took the top spot in the 2023 AMI rankings, marking the third consecutive year that an electric vehicle headed the list. In the previous rankings, Tesla’s Model 3 was #1. Tesla vehicles landed in the first four spots on the 2023 list.

Coming in at #6, Volkswagen made its debut in the Index’s top 10.

Notably, no Ford or GM vehicles made the top 10 this time. Lincoln’s Corsair comes in at #16 and Chevrolet’s Corvette lands at #19.

Let’s take a look at the top American-made vehicles along with their assembly sites and starting manufacturers’ suggested retail prices (MSRPs) according to Cars.com. All vehicles listed are 2023 models.

Here Are the Top American-Made Vehicles for 2023

1. Tesla Model Y

2023 Tesla Model Y
  • Assembly sites: Fremont, Calif., and Austin, Texas
  • MSRP: $47,490

2. Tesla Model 3

2023 Tesla Model 3
  • Assembly site: Fremont, Calif.
  • MSRP: $40,240

3. Tesla Model X

2023 Tesla Model X
  • Assembly site: Fremont, Calif.
  • MSRP: $98,490

4. Tesla Model S

2023 Tesla Model S
  • Assembly site: Fremont, Calif.
  • MSRP: $88,490

5. Honda Passport

2023 Honda Passport
  • Assembly site: Lincoln, Ala.
  • MSRP: $41,100

6. Volkswagen ID.4

2023 Volkswagen ID.4
  • Assembly site: Chattanooga, Tenn.
  • MSRP: $38,995

7. Honda Odyssey

2023 Honda Odyssey
  • Assembly site: Lincoln, Ala.
  • MSRP: $37,490

8. Acura MDX

Acura MDX for sale
  • Assembly site: East Liberty and Marysville, Ohio
  • MSRP: $49,550

9. Honda Ridgeline

2023 Honda Ridgeline
  • Assembly site: Lincoln, Ala.
  • MSRP: $38,800

10. Acura RDX

2023 Acura RDX
  • Assembly site: East Liberty, Ohio
  • MSRP: $41,750

Read the complete list at Cars.com.

“Tesla debuted on the index just three years ago, but with headquarters and significant operations in the U.S., its rise shuffled the deck, displacing many traditional domestic manufacturers,” Jenni Newman, Cars.com editor-in-chief, says in a news release. “More notably, we are seeing foreign-based manufacturers like Honda and Toyota move production to the U.S., particularly the South, challenging Americans’ definitions of what constitutes ‘American-made’ and driving many of the changes in the AMI since last year.”

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Money expert Clark Howard says the U.S. vehicle market is improving and he expects car prices to continue to drop at some point in the near future.

“The industry’s been on an ugly roller coaster ride. Beautiful for them, ugly for you and me. But I’ve got good news: The roller coaster is now rolling downhill in your and my direction,” says Clark. “We were in a period for a long time where dealers were marking way up above MSRP and now the average vehicle is being discounted.”

“What have I been saying over the last two years? If you’ve got one that’s working, keep driving your current car. Now I’m moving away from that hard position and there may be an opportunity for you to get a decent deal today,” Clark says.

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