Electric Vehicles Dominate 2025 American-Made Index with Tesla Leading

Recently, the automotive website Cars.com published the 2025 American-Made Index (AMI), which ranks vehicles based on their localization in manufacturing in the U.S. The index measures the contribution of vehicles to the U.S. economy by considering the percentage of parts sourced from the U.S. and Canada, the final assembly location, the origin of the engine and transmission, and the proportion of U.S. workers employed. This year, electric vehicles accounted for six of the top ten spots for the first time, with four Tesla models (Model Y, Model 3, Model S, and Model X) taking the top four positions. Since Tesla first participated in the AMI evaluation in 2020, its vehicles have consistently ranked within the top ten. This year, Tesla's four light passenger cars again swept the top four spots, a feat they first accomplished in 2023, with the Model 3 showing the most significant rise in rankings compared to last year, moving up from a lower position within Tesla's internal rankings. Tesla's success is attributed not only to its high percentage of U.S. and Canadian parts and core components assembled domestically, but also to its large local manufacturing team. Besides Tesla, the Kia EV6 and Volkswagen ID.4 also made it to the top ten, ranking 6th and 10th, respectively. Although the EV6 has the highest percentage of U.S. sourced parts on the list (around 80%), it fell short in other evaluation criteria, preventing it from breaking into the top five. With the production of the EV6 moving from Korea to the West Point factory in Georgia, it not only adds fresh blood to the list but also marks the first time that pure electric vehicles occupy the majority of the top ten spots. The number of pure electric vehicles on the list increased from 8 in 2024 to 11 in 2025, along with a notable rise in hybrid and plug-in hybrid models from 15 to 19, confirming that the electrification transition in the automotive industry is real. Despite the potential impact of the cancellation of federal electric vehicle tax credits and rising end prices, it remains to be seen if this trend will continue. However, the American-Made Index continues to show a steady year-on-year progression in the diversification of powertrains. Honda has consistently ranked high on the list, and 2025 is no exception. Since 2017, Honda’s Ridgeline pickup and Odyssey MPV produced in Alabama have always been in the top ten, and the Passport SUV has also performed consistently since joining the list in 2019, thanks to a high percentage of U.S. manufactured parts and domestic assembly advantages. Additionally, the Jeep Gladiator produced in Toledo, Ohio, and the Volkswagen ID.4 electric SUV assembled in Chattanooga, Tennessee, have returned to the top ten. Among the 99 models listed in Cars.com this year, 67 are manufactured by international automotive brands. General Motors has the most models on the list with 15, followed by Toyota with 14, and both Ford and Honda with 13 each. Among the 'Big Three' automakers in Detroit, only three models made it into the top twenty: Jeep Gladiator (5th), Jeep Wrangler, and Chevrolet Colorado. Patrick Masterson, chief researcher of the American-Made Index, stated, "You can't judge whether a car is 'American-made' just by the badge; the manufacturing process involves many complex factors." The list indicates that 17 models are manufactured in Alabama, making it the top state, reflecting the growth of the automotive manufacturing industry in the southern U.S. The Toyota Corolla Cross hybrid version saw the most significant rise, jumping from 66th place in 2024 to 18th place this year, marking the largest year-on-year increase. Masterson noted that this model has achieved 100% local sourcing for its transmission. Conversely, the Toyota RAV4 hybrid version experienced the largest drop, plummeting from 65th to 99th place. The index assesses the 2025 models produced in the U.S., with Cars.com analyzing a total of 173,000 vehicles in its inventory and conducting 450 dealer inspections while referencing data from federal regulators, automakers, and U.S. automotive news. Among the 400 light vehicles that manufacturers are selling (or plan to sell) in the U.S. market for the 2025 model year, 133 are made domestically, 248 are imports, and 19 use a mixed production model of domestic and overseas assembly. Masterson emphasized that this list raises awareness among consumers that many models are manufactured right in their backyard, as most buyers still lack sufficient understanding of vehicle localization. The timing of this list's release is critical, as the U.S. electric vehicle industry stands at a crossroads with policy adjustments. The Trump administration has decided to officially cancel electric vehicle tax credits on September 30. Meanwhile, facing lower-than-expected electric vehicle demand, several automakers are adjusting their electrification strategies, extending the lifecycle of internal combustion vehicles, and lowering electric vehicle sales targets. Despite this, the number of electric vehicles entering the American-Made Index has nearly doubled since 2022. Masterson pointed out that this year marks the first time electric vehicles occupy the majority of the top ten positions. Furthermore, the list reflects that although automakers face unpredictable tariff policies from the Trump administration and discussions around supply chain relocation and localization, the progress in this area remains slow.