Want to buy an all-American car? Sorry, it’s more complicated than simply looking at the brand name.
Just because an auto brand is headquartered and has factories in the U.S. doesn’t mean all the parts for all its vehicles were made here or that American hands assembled them.
For instance, the Chevy Silverado pickup truck is assembled in both U.S. and Mexican factories. Chevy sources parts for its trucks from “five Mexican companies, four Japanese companies, three companies each in Canada and Brazil, two each in South Korea and France, and individual partners in Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Hungary, India, and Thailand,” J.D. Power says.
Of course, some vehicles are more American-made than others. A recent report called the Kogod Made in America Auto Index ranked hundreds of car models to figure out how much of each vehicle is made in the USA.
The ranking is based on factors such as where a vehicle model’s engine and transmission were built, the percentage of other components that are American- or Canadian-made, where the vehicle is assembled, where research and development is conducted, and where its manufacturer is based. These factors were combined to come up with a final “domestic content score.”
Following are the car models that, in 2022, were the most made in America.
Lincoln Corsair
Domestic content score: 86
The Lincoln Corsair tied for most American-made and had 72% of its components made in the U.S. or Canada. The 2022 model gets 22 miles per gallon in the city and 29 on the highway, with prices starting at about $37,000.
Lincoln Corsair Hybrid PHEV
Domestic content score: 86
Of course, what the Corsair tied with was its twin hybrid model, which Lincoln says “combines the benefits of a 2.5L I-4 gas engine with an electric powertrain to offer smooth performance designed for long journeys.”
Tesla Model 3 Long Range
Domestic content score: 82.5
The Model 3 is made up of 65% American-made parts. How long is long range? About 358 miles, according to the automaker’s website.
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
Domestic content score: 81
Chevy’s sporty Stingray starts at about $64,000, and its 62% American-made parts offer a top speed of 194 miles per hour.
Chevrolet Colorado 3.0L, 3.6L, 2.5L
Domestic content score: 80.5
Chevy’s Colorado, which is much larger than the Corvette, has nearly as many American-made parts — 61%. It’s also much more affordable, starting at about $29,000.
Jeep Cherokee Latitude 4X4
Domestic content score: 80
The Jeep Cherokee Latitude 4×4 starts at about $35,000, and 72% of its parts are made in the U.S. or Canada.
Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
Domestic content score: 80
The Trailhawk starts at a slightly higher price than the Latitude but comes with the same proportion of parts made in America — 72%. It also comes with a slightly lower fuel efficiency.
Tesla Model 3 Performance
Domestic content score: 80
The Performance version of the 2022 Model 3 can’t go as far without a charge as the Long Range but still makes it 315 miles with seats for five. The price tag is around $56,000. It’s 60% made in America, just like the final model on our list.
Tesla Model Y
Domestic content score: 80
The dual motor, all-wheel drive Model Y starts at about $58,000.
While Tesla has a couple of vehicles on this year’s American-made list, that might change next year — the automaker may soon open a factory in Mexico.