2024 American-Made Index: The Surprising Truth About Domestic Vehicle Content
How We Determine "American-Made"
MotorVero's American-Made Index evaluates vehicles based on:
- Assembly location: Final manufacturing site
- Domestic parts content: Percentage of components from U.S./Canada
- Employment impact: U.S. workforce involvement
- Engine/transmission origin: Where powertrains are built
- Economic contribution: R&D and headquarters locations
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2024 Top 10 Most American Vehicles
| Rank | Vehicle | Assembly Plant | Domestic Content | Notable Changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tesla Model Y | Austin, TX | 75% | ↑ 12% battery content |
| 2 | Honda Passport | Lincoln, AL | 72% | New transmission source |
| 3 | Toyota Camry | Georgetown, KY | 70% | ↓ 5% from 2023 |
| 4 | Ford Mustang | Flat Rock, MI | 68% | New hybrid variant |
| 5 | Jeep Gladiator | Toledo, OH | 65% | ↓ 8% from 2023 |
| 6 | Chevrolet Colorado | Wentzville, MO | 63% | New engine plant |
| 7 | Tesla Model 3 | Fremont, CA | 60% | ↓ 5% from 2023 |
| 8 | Honda Odyssey | Lincoln, AL | 58% | Steady year-over-year |
| 9 | Ford Explorer | Chicago, IL | 55% | ↑ 3% from 2023 |
| 10 | BMW X5 | Spartanburg, SC | 52% | New battery assembly |
Key Findings: The State of American Auto Manufacturing
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Domestic Content Trends
- Average domestic content: 48% (down from 52% in 2020)
- EVs average 12% higher battery content than 2022
- Japanese brands lead with 58% average content
Employment Impact
- 1.2 million direct auto manufacturing jobs
- Alabama leads in per-capita auto employment
- EV plants creating 28% new manufacturing jobs
Economic Contribution
- $135 billion annual supplier network spending
- Tennessee leads in new factory investments
- Battery plants driving rural economic growth
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Notable Changes Since 2018
Major Shifts in American Manufacturing
- Tesla's rise: From 0 models in top 10 to 2 leaders
- Pickup truck decline: F-150 dropped from 75% to 42% domestic content
- EV transformation: Battery production now accounts for 15% of content
- Globalization impact: Average 7% decrease across all segments
Why Domestic Content Matters More Than Ever
With supply chain vulnerabilities exposed by recent global events, domestic manufacturing provides:
- Faster delivery times: 30% shorter lead times than imports
- Quality control: 22% fewer defects in U.S.-assembled vehicles
- Economic multiplier: Every auto job creates 5.7 ancillary jobs
- Carbon reduction: 18% lower emissions than overseas-built equivalents
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How Different Brands Stack Up
| Brand | Avg. Domestic Content | U.S. Plants | Notable Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla | 68% | 4 | Model Y, Model 3, Cybertruck |
| Honda | 62% | 12 | Passport, Odyssey, Ridgeline |
| Toyota | 58% | 10 | Camry, Tundra, Sequoia |
| Ford | 51% | 9 | Mustang, Explorer, Bronco |
| BMW | 49% | 1 | X5, X6, X7 |
Buyer's Guide: Supporting American Workers
For consumers prioritizing domestic manufacturing:
- Check window stickers: Required to show domestic content percentage
- Research plants: Some foreign brands have deeper U.S. roots than domestics
- Consider suppliers: Tier 1 suppliers employ more Americans than OEMs
- Look beyond assembly: Engineering and R&D jobs often overlooked
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The Future of American Auto Manufacturing
Emerging Trends
- Battery localization: IRA incentives driving $40B in new investments
- Reshoring: 18% of suppliers bringing production back to U.S.
- Micro-factories: EV startups testing localized production models
- Labor evolution: 45% of new jobs requiring advanced technical skills
MotorVero's Conclusion
The definition of "American-made" continues evolving in our globalized auto industry. While traditional metrics still favor some foreign brands with deep U.S. manufacturing roots, new EV production is reshaping the landscape. Savvy buyers should look beyond brand nationality to examine actual domestic content, employment impact, and supply chain transparency when making purchasing decisions that support American workers.
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