2025 American-Made Index: Tesla Dominates, But Foreign Brands Still Take Over Half The Top 20

As tariffs raise prices on imported vehicles, American consumers are shifting their focus to domestically built cars. Tesla leads the way in the 2025 American-Made Index, but foreign automakers are still claiming a surprising number of top spots.

With former President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policy making a comeback, American car buyers are more aware than ever of where their vehicles are made. Higher import costs have caused many to rethink their next purchase — and Cars.com’s 2025 American-Made Index arrives at the perfect time to shed light on what “Made in America” really means today.

What Is the American-Made Index?

Compiled annually by Cars.com, the index ranks vehicles based on a mix of five key factors:

• Assembly location
• Parts sourcing
• Engine origin
• Transmission sourcing
• U.S. factory employment relative to vehicle production

Although it’s not an absolute measurement — and different studies use different methods — the index remains a strong barometer of a vehicle’s domestic contribution to the U.S. economy.

Tesla Sweeps the Top 4 Spots

Unsurprisingly, Tesla continues its domination, taking the top four positions:

Tesla’s production strategy, rooted deeply in the U.S., has consistently placed it at the top of this index. The Model Y has now held the top spot for three consecutive years.

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Other Top American-Made Models

Other domestic entries include:

• Jeep Gladiator (5th)
• Jeep Wrangler (13th)
• Chevrolet Colorado (19th)

However, the real surprise is that foreign automakers claimed 13 of the top 20 spots, including vehicles from Honda, Acura, Toyota, Kia, and Volkswagen.

Here’s the full Top 20 List:

More Cars Built in the U.S., But Parts Still Come From Abroad

Despite rising tariffs and growing pressure from the Trump administration, no car has ever reached 100% U.S. parts content. According to Cars.com’s lead researcher Patrick Masterson, the top 10 vehicles on the list averaged 70.3% domestic content in 2025, down from 83.4% in 2006.

In fact, BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, and other global brands still manufacture heavily in the U.S., with plants in South Carolina, Alabama, Indiana, and Georgia — significantly contributing to the American workforce.

Tariffs Influence Consumer Behavior

A Cars.com survey revealed that 73% of American car shoppers would consider switching to a U.S.-built vehicle to avoid tariff-related price hikes. This shift appears to be driven more by cost-consciousness than patriotism.

As tariffs drive up vehicle prices, the American-Made Index is becoming more than a fun fact sheet — it’s now a useful guide for cost-sensitive buyers who want to support local manufacturing and dodge rising prices.