What is the most American car company?
In the United States, the label "most American car company" is not fixed. It depends on what you measure—where cars are designed, built, and sold; who owns the company; and where its jobs and supply chain are located. This article explores the question and how different criteria influence which company is considered the most American.
Ford Motor Company is widely cited as the most American car company when measured by a blend of domestic production, U.S.-based employment, and American origins; however definitions vary and other companies can be considered highly American depending on the criteria.
Different studies weigh factors differently; some rank Ford at the top, others highlight General Motors or Tesla depending on the metric used.
How researchers measure "American-ness"
There are a few standard criteria used to gauge how American a car company is. The following list captures the main factors used in current rankings.
- Domestic production share — the proportion of vehicles assembled in the United States.
- U.S.-based ownership and headquarters — whether the company is headquartered in the U.S. and owned by U.S. residents or entities.
- U.S. employment and supplier network — the size of the workforce and the breadth of the domestic supplier base.
- Historical roots and brand identity — how strongly the company is identified as an American firm.
These criteria together inform how rankings are constructed, and different studies weight them differently.
Leading contenders in current rankings
In analyses through 2023–2024, Ford, General Motors, and Tesla are often at the top of the list, with Ford frequently leading when domestic production and roots are emphasized. The exact order can shift based on the weight given to each criterion.
- Ford Motor Company — headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan; a large share of its vehicles are built in the United States and it maintains a substantial U.S. workforce and supplier network.
- General Motors — a multinational with a strong U.S. manufacturing footprint across multiple brands and many U.S.-assembled models.
- Tesla, Inc. — U.S.-based maker with most of its production centered in the United States; widely considered highly American due to ownership, headquarters, and U.S. manufacturing.
Keep in mind that rankings vary with methodology, and some other U.S.-based automakers or joint ventures can appear near the top depending on the data used.
Summary
There is no single universal answer to which car company is the most American; the result depends on the criteria chosen. By common measures that emphasize domestic production, U.S. ownership, and American roots, Ford Motor Company is often identified as the leading American carmaker, with General Motors and Tesla closely following under alternative definitions. The concept continues to evolve as manufacturing footprints and corporate structures shift.
What car brand is the most American?
Tesla
Tesla is the most American car.
What is America's biggest car company?
General Motors remains the largest automaker in the U.S., thriving by investing early in electric vehicles and digital operations. Over the past decade, GM focused on reducing warranty costs, streamlining manufacturing, and preparing for an all-electric future.
Is Toyota more American than Ford?
Some “Japanese” brands like Toyota and Honda may contain more American-made parts and assembly for certain vehicles than stereotypically American brands like Ford and Chevy. For example, a 2023 Toyota Tundra truck is more American made with 60% US/Canada parts content than a 2023 Ford F-150 at 30%.
Which car is 100% made in America?
No car sold in the U.S. is entirely made in America using only parts made in America. Not one single vehicle. Many vehicles from American companies, like Ford, Chevy, and Stellantis (which owns brands like Jeep and Ram), are assembled in Canada and Mexico.
