These Cars are the Most American-Made of 2021
Jane Lu
· 4 min read
Have you ever wondered, "Which American-made car contributes the most to the national economy?" While we tend to think that buying a
Ford
or Chevy is the best way to support the U.S. economy, that is not necessarily the case. 
The American-made car index
The American-Made Index is crafted by
cars.com
. The online auto giant ranks which car models are best for the domestic economy. They use 5 major criteria: assembly location, parts content, engine origins, transmission origins, and US manufacturing origins. Without further ado, here are the top 5:
#5 - Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevy Corvette is an American classic, and it's good to know that it supports the U.S. economy.This is the only Chevy to crack the top 10 this year.
Corvettes are primarily manufactured in Bowling Green, Kentucky. This year's Corvette has some added features. Most notably, its new compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
#4 - Jeep Cherokee
It's nice to see the Jeep Cherokee make the top five again. However, it did slip a few spots. Last year it took second place. Most 2021 Jeep Cherokees were manufactured in Belvidere, Illinois.
#3 -Tesla Model Y
Elon has made sure that his new car company is pure American. This Tesla is quite popular among EV fans who want something larger than a sedan.
The celebrity CEO has many of his cars manufactured in Fremont, California, including the Model Y. The Model Y didn't rank last year, in large part that it was in limited production.
#2 - Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang has made a big comeback from last year, where it ranked 34th. The Mustang is still primarily built near Detroit.
Specifically, in Flat Rock, Michigan. The Mustang's higher ranking on this year's list is due to using more U.S.-made parts.
#1 Tesla Model 3
More: Tesla Model S vs. Model 3: There Is a Hidden Factor To Consider Before You Buy
Tesla's Model 3 claimed the top spot this year, improving from fourth place on last year's American Made Index.
The Model 3 has been growing in popularity since its debut, but many people might not realize how American the car truly is.
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What this means for Tesla
Some are surprised to hear that Tesla claimed two of the top three spots. Heck, many people don't even know Tesla is an American company.
The truth is, Elon Musk is a master of public relations. By keeping the supply chain of Tesla's within the U.S., he's fostering goodwill with the public and local politicians.
Additionally, the logistical structure of Tesla utilizes what's called the "vertical integration approach" which favors building many parts in-house. Instead of relying on distant foreign parts, the components of Tesla's vehicles are more accessible and aren't subject to fluctuating trade relations between nations.
The microchip shortage has caused havoc in the car industry
Much of this index was compiled before the massive microchip shortage. The chip shortage has severely hindered all aspects of manufacturing, including cars.
This disruption will almost certainly change how the American-made index looks in the coming years. As most of these chips come from China, a U.S. car company may be tempted to open a chip plant here in the U.S. Such an investment would propel the manufacturer to a higher index ranking.
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