American-Made Brands Leading the Way in 2025: Tesla, Jeep, Kia, VW, and Honda Take the Top Spots in the American-Made Index
The American-Made Index (AMI), compiled by Cars.com, has revealed a significant shift in the automotive industry, with electric vehicles (EVs) taking the lead and Tesla dominating the top ranks. The index evaluates vehicles based on five major factors: final assembly location, U.S. and Canadian parts, engine and transmission origins, and U.S. manufacturing workforce involved in production.
In the 2025 ranking, Tesla has continued its dominance by securing the top four spots with its light-duty passenger vehicles. The Tesla Model 3 has been crowned the most "American-made" car of 2025. Six of the top 10 vehicles in the index are electric, including the Kia EV6 and Volkswagen’s ID.4, reflecting investments in U.S. assembly and supply chains for EV components.
Tesla's advantage comes from high U.S./Canadian parts content and assembly in the U.S., as well as a significant U.S. manufacturing workforce, which has been a decisive factor in their top ranking. The presence of electric vehicles in the top ranks highlights how the industry's shift towards EVs is reshaping the perception and reality of American manufacturing.
Traditional manufacturers like Honda, Jeep, and Volkswagen still feature prominently, but electric vehicles have firmly established a leading presence. Honda has a strong showing with eight Honda/Acura vehicles in the top 20, including three in the top 10. Jeep's Gladiator lands at No. 5 in the index.
Despite Ford and General Motors (GM) placing no models in the top 10, they still have significant representation in the index. The Silverado/Canyon are not in the top 20, but the label of "American-made" is becoming more about economic impact than mere geography. Consumers are willing to pay a premium for American-made vehicles to avoid tariffs, with around 60-70% indicating they would do so.
However, 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. Some models, such as the Maverick and Bronco Sport, are made in Mexico, and some GM models are imported. Many full-size trucks, such as the Ford F-150 Lightning, are not in the top 10 and are either built outside the U.S. or have lower domestic parts content.
The Cars.com American-Made Index, introduced in 2017, now evaluates vehicles based on a multi-factor system. Tesla continues to dominate the index with its Model 3, S, X, and Y, and Volkswagen, Honda, and Jeep also earn strong marks. The index underscores the importance of considering economic impact, beyond mere geography, as companies and consumers navigate shifting tariffs, supply chains, and EV transitions.
[1] Cars.com (2025). American-Made Index. [online] Available at: https://www.cars.com/america-s-best-selling-cars/american-made-index/ [Accessed 25 Mar. 2023].
[2] Jaffe, J. (2025). The American-Made Index 2025: Tesla Dominates, but Honda and Jeep Also Shine. [online] The Drive. Available at: https://www.thedrive.com/news/34335/american-made-index-2025-tesla-dominates-but-honda-and-jeep-also-shine [Accessed 25 Mar. 2023].
[3] Green, C. (2025). Tesla Dominates 2025 American-Made Index with Electric Vehicles on the Rise. [online] InsideEVs. Available at: https://insideevs.com/news/525301/american-made-index-2025-tesla-dominates-electric-vehicles-rise/ [Accessed 25 Mar. 2023].
[4] Cars.com (2017). About the American-Made Index. [online] Available at: https://www.cars.com/america-s-best-selling-cars/american-made-index/about-the-american-made-index/ [Accessed 25 Mar. 2023].
- The American-Made Index (AMI) dataset from 2025 shows that the automotive industry is shifting towards electric vehicles (EVs), as Tesla continues to dominate with six of the top 10 spots, notably the Model 3 crowned as the most "American-made" car.
- Traditional manufacturers, such as Honda, Jeep, and Volkswagen, remain prominent in the AMI, but electric vehicles have secured a significant lead, representing six of the top 10 positions. An investment in U.S. assembly and supply chains for EV components is reflected in these top-ranking electric vehicles.
- The presence of electric vehicles in the top ranks of the AMI indicates how the industry's focus on EVs is reshaping the perception and reality of American manufacturing, driving consumers to seek out American-made vehicles while still being willing to pay a premium to avoid tariffs.
