1, 4, or 5.
One of these digits is found at the beginning of the vehicle identification number (VIN) of each and every car or truck built in the United States.
But contrary to widely held beliefs, not all cars built in America wear American brand names. Indeed, like hamburgers, pizza, and “freedom fries,” some of the most savory American automotive treats originated in other countries but are now made right here in the U. S. of A.—a foreign badge doesn’t mean foreign workers built the car.
Moreover, if they include at least 50 percent American parts by content, even cars and trucks wearing import brand names are officially designated as “domestic” products and thus avoid being slapped with import tariffs and taxes that would otherwise apply. Since these charges would eventually get passed along to the consumer, skirting them allows for lower sticker prices.
It’s not just a tax thing anymore. In recent years, American plants have become more and more important as hedges against the sinking dollar. This explains why Volkswagen, Kia, and Audi are planning assembly lines here, and other foreign brands currently building cars in the U.S. have plans to build even more plants here—bringing their suppliers with them—and some will even export the products right back to their homelands.
It’s not foreign flattery—it’s just plain good business. Thus we bring you the following five surprising ways to buy American: vehicles built right here in America by American hands.
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