Incumbent Tesla is the Only Domestic Automaker in Cars.com's 2024 American-Made Index Top 10

Rhea-AI Summary

Cars.com revealed its 19th annual American-Made Index, showcasing the top 100 vehicles contributing to the U.S. economy in manufacturing, parts sourcing, and employment. Tesla's Model Y holds the top spot for the third year, while the Honda Passport and Volkswagen ID.4 occupy the second and third positions. Tesla is the only domestic automaker in the top 10, with four models on the list. Over 50% of the vehicles are assembled in the Southern U.S., with Alabama leading. Despite a shift towards electrification, 77% of the indexed vehicles remain gas-powered. The complete list and methodology are available on Cars.com/AMI.

Positive

• Tesla's Model Y retains the top spot for the third consecutive year.
• Tesla is the only domestic automaker in the top 10.
• Four Tesla models made it to the top 100 list.
• U.S. auto production facilities have increased by 144% since 2020.
• Over 50% of the vehicles indexed are assembled in the Southern U.S.
• Alabama leads with 15 vehicles produced in multiple locations.
• Electrified vehicles' share has grown by 130% since 2020.
• The number of EVs increased by 100%, hybrids and plug-in hybrids by 150%.

Negative

• Tesla's Model X dropped to No. 9 and Model 3 to No. 21 due to workforce and parts content changes.
• Only 39% of vehicles on this year's index were built by UAW-represented labor.
• GM's representation on the AMI has declined by 10% since 2020.
• 77% of the vehicles on this year's Index are still gas-powered, despite a shift towards electrification.

Over 50% of Vehicles on Index Assembled in Non-UAW-Represented Facilities in Southern U.S.

U.S.-Based Auto Production Facilities Are Up 144% Since 2020

CHICAGO, June 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Car-shopping marketplace Cars.com™ (NYSE: CARS) today revealed its 19th annual American-Made Index. Cars.com experts independently evaluated more than 400 vehicles to generate this year's list of 100 vehicles contributing most to the U.S. economy in manufacturing, parts sourcing and employment. Tesla's Model Y continues its reign as the most American vehicle for the third consecutive year, followed by the Alabama-built Honda Passport taking the No. 2 spot and Tennessee-built Volkswagen ID.4 at No.3.

Austin-based Tesla failed to repeat its 2023 sweep of the top four spots, with the Model X dropping to No. 9 and the Model 3 landing at No. 21 due to changes in workforce and domestic parts content, respectively. Despite this, Tesla still landed four of its vehicles on this year's Index — three in the top 10 — and was also the only domestic automaker in the top 10.

Honda's Odyssey and Ridgeline — boasting the most American-made minivan and pickup truck — came in at No. 5 and No. 6., while the Toyota Camry and Jeep Gladiator each jumped 19 spots to land at No. 7 and No. 8. The Lexus TX makes a memorable entrance to the index, landing at No. 10. The complete list is available at Cars.com/AMI.

"Over the last year, domestic manufacturing was thrust into the spotlight by the recent United Auto Workers organizing efforts and continues to be a hot topic with the impending presidential election," said Patrick Masterson, lead researcher for Cars.com's American-Made Index. "Pundits champion homegrown corporations as the key to investments in local and state economies. However, when it comes to the global automotive industry, the badge on the hood doesn't always reveal a vehicle's economic contributions. In fact, 66% of vehicles on Cars.com's 2024 American-Made Index come from foreign automakers that support communities in Alabama, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio."

Rank	Make/Model	U.S. Assembly Location
1.	Tesla Model Y	Fremont, Calif. Austin, Texas
2.	Honda Passport	Lincoln, Ala.
3.	Volkswagen ID.4	Chattanooga, Tenn.
4.	Tesla Model S	Fremont, Calif.
5.	Honda Odyssey	Lincoln, Ala.
6.	Honda Ridgeline	Lincoln, Ala.
7.	Toyota Camry	Georgetown, Ky.
8.	Jeep Gladiator	Toledo, Ohio
9.	Tesla Model X	Fremont, Calif.
10.	Lexus TX	Princeton, Ind.

Sweet Home, Alabama

Over half of the vehicles on this year's list were assembled in the South, outpacing the 45% assembled in the Midwest.¹ Alabama is at the forefront, with 15 vehicles produced in Huntsville, Lincoln, Madison, Montgomery and Vance. Thousands of Alabamians are employed by Japanese-based Mazda, Toyota and Honda, South Korean automaker Hyundai and luxury German automaker Mercedes-Benz. In small towns like Lincoln and Vance, with populations of about 7,500 and 2,000, respectively, these foreign automakers have become vital to the local economy, creating jobs and driving economic growth through their investments in these communities. Notably, none of these automakers use UAW-represented labor — only 39% of vehicles on this year's index were built by the union.² This number could change as factory workers weigh joining the UAW.

When it comes to consumer demand for American-made, 56% of in-market car shoppers are willing to pay more for a vehicle if it creates more U.S. jobs — of those, 58% say they are willing to pay at least an extra 10%.³  But 60% of Americans say that products need to be built in the U.S. by a company headquartered here to substantially contribute to the American economy.⁴ However, the success of Alabama's auto industry demonstrates that foreign investments are also playing a crucial role in supporting and growing local economies.

Motor City and the Midwest

Michigan remains a powerhouse for auto assembly, hosting 16 vehicles on the Index. Detroit, home to both GM and Ford, benefits greatly from the auto industry. Both foreign and domestic automakers bolster Michigan's economy in cities like Flat Rock, Dearborn, Wayne, Lansing, Sterling Heights, Warren and Detroit. Netherlands-based Stellantis has six vehicles on the Index, while Ford and GM each have five vehicles contributing to the state's economic growth.

GM boasts 18 vehicles on the Index, with five in Michigan and additional assembly locations in Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas. The highest-ranking GM vehicle is the Chevrolet Colorado, positioned at No. 23. Despite a 10% decrease in AMI representation since 2020, GM consistently has the most representation on the Index.¹

Ford has 12 vehicles on the Index, assembled in Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Missouri. The Lincoln Corsair at No. 29 and Ford Mustang at No. 31 are Ford's highest-ranking vehicles. Contrary to GM, Ford's representation on AMI has increased 20% since 2020.¹

Slow and Steady: A Shifting Path for Electrification

While 77% of vehicles on this year's Index are gas-powered, the segment has declined 5% overall since 2020. On the other hand, the share of electrified vehicles has grown 130% since 2020, with the number of EVs up 100%, and hybrids and plug-in hybrids up 150%.¹

Methodology

Cars.com's American-Made Index ranks cars based on five factors: assembly location, parts sourcing as determined by the American Automobile Labeling Act, U.S. factory employment relative to vehicle production, engine sourcing and transmission sourcing. For more information on the 2024 Cars.com American-Made Index, including a deeper dive into the data and methodology, visit Cars.com/AMI.

¹ Cars.com internal data
² Excluding the Volkswagen ID.4. Volkswagen now assembles all domestically sold ID.4s at its Chattanooga, Tenn., plant, which in April 2024 voted in favor of joining the UAW and doesn't impact this year's model.
³ Cars.com Consumer Survey; May 31-June 3, 2024; 1,003 respondents
⁴ Cars.com Consumer Survey; May 31-June 3, 2024; 1,157 respondents

ABOUT CARS.COM^®

Cars.com is the No. 1 most recognized automotive marketplace visited by nearly 30 million in-market consumers each month. Launched in 1998 and headquartered in Chicago, Cars.com empowers shoppers with the data, resources and digital tools needed to make informed buying decisions and seamlessly connect with automotive retailers. Cars.com is the flagship offering from Cars.com Inc. d/b/a Cars Commerce Inc., an audience-driven technology company empowering automotive that simplifies everything about buying and selling cars. Learn more at www.carscommerce.inc.

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SOURCE Cars.com Inc.

FAQ

What is the top American-made vehicle in 2024 according to Cars.com?

The top American-made vehicle in 2024 is Tesla's Model Y.

How many Tesla models are in the top 10 of the 2024 American-Made Index?

Tesla has three models in the top 10 of the 2024 American-Made Index.

What is the ranking of Tesla's Model Y in the 2024 American-Made Index?

Tesla's Model Y is ranked No. 1 in the 2024 American-Made Index.

Why did Tesla's Model X and Model 3 drop in the 2024 American-Made Index?

Tesla's Model X and Model 3 dropped in the rankings due to changes in workforce and domestic parts content.

Where are the majority of the vehicles in the 2024 American-Made Index assembled?

Over 50% of the vehicles in the 2024 American-Made Index are assembled in the Southern U.S.

What percentage of vehicles in the 2024 American-Made Index are gas-powered?

77% of the vehicles in the 2024 American-Made Index are gas-powered.

How much has the share of electrified vehicles grown since 2020 in the American-Made Index?

The share of electrified vehicles has grown by 130% since 2020 in the American-Made Index.

What is the ranking of the highest GM vehicle in the 2024 American-Made Index?

The highest-ranking GM vehicle is the Chevrolet Colorado, positioned at No. 23.