Which All-New Vehicles Are REALLY American? See Who's Making America GREAT Again, You MAY Be Surprised...

One of American University's associate professors is shining a light on a topic we've been keeping an eye on for the past several years. The Washington DC-based university has been doing this since 2013.

That is, taking a closer look at which automakers are producing the most American vehicles.

Looking at 2016's index, it's interesting. That's because General Motors (GM) has a commanding presence on the ranking.

The rationale behind this exercise is that American University is actually trying to better understand the vehicles that are specifically making an impact on the U.S. economy. We're all for that getting a much-need boost.

That said, take a look below at the Top 10 vehicles that are driving the U.S. economy, at least according to American University's look into the data.

Conclusion

The index shows that vehicles produced by automakers headquartered in the US rated higher overall in the index. This is for two reasons: (1) profit derived from their sale was more likely to return or remain in the United States; and (2) a majority of a U.S. company’s R&D activities are located in the US.

The index also finds that foreign companies were more likely to use fewer US-produced parts, even if they utilize American manufacturing locations. US economic impact is lower, as the vehicle’s home country receives much of its profits. While the data contained in the AALA is important, a true index of “localness” must recognize other things such as company’s country of origin, as well as the location of its research and development activities.

MDarringer - 6/18/2016 8:54:00 PM

+2 Boost

I honestly do not care where the car comes from. I care that it is a quality product that is reliable and durable. They could build Ferraris is the Ukraine and I wouldn't care as long as it is a quality product that is reliable and durable. We have German cars from the deep South and American-as-anything pickups from Mexico.

TomM - 6/19/2016 6:15:28 AM

+1 Boost

I would not know about Ferrari - I have never had one - so I would not know if a Ferrari made in Italy is nearly as reliable as one made in the Ukraine - Italian cars are not particularly reliable beasts. Fact is - though - it is hard to point to a country and say they make reliable cars -- when even German cars are not really that good after the first three years. It seems that Pick-ups are more reliable than cars in that respect - or is it that people who own them keep them longer than other vehicles.

I would prefer an American Car - made in an American Plant - and with its corporate headquarters in the USA as well - which means Ford or GM. That is the best situation for our American Economy. However - it is hard to do. No Mini-vans are made in the USA - my Chrysler was made in Canada. My company car - a Ford Fusion Hybrid - which was made in Mexico - is about to be replaced by a Chevy Malibu Hybrid -made in Kansas City. My S-600 is German - and the new CT6 - is from Detroit. My favorite car - my 450SEL 6.9 - was not particularly reliable - as most high end luxury cars simply have too many things that - 1- Are newer to the high end cars (By the time they get to the lower cars - they are more reliable) - and 2 - that can go wrong.

MDarringer - 6/19/2016 10:03:29 AM

+1 Boost

Talk about missing the point by 1700 country miles!

TomM - 6/20/2016 7:32:14 AM

+1 Boost

The point was that - being an American - it is Better for the American Economy if a car is built in the USA by a Company that is also based in the USA. At one time - buying Asian cars was buying Junk. And the fact is - German cars and British cars were quirky things that had a small market - but in reality did not compete well in the American market. That was because the main American sellers were the FULL Size cars - and Pick Ups. The price of gas introduced Americans to smaller cars - where the Foreign manufacturers had more experience - and add in some truly BAD cars from the Americans (Vega, Pinto, Pacer) - and a generation was brought up on Japanese cars. ANd while some Japanese cars (and others too) are made in America today - the profits still end up on the books in other countries for tax purposes. So - if we want the American economy to benefit - buying a car that is made in the USA (For assembly workers) by a company based in the USA (For tax purposes) would be a big help. And today - there are LOTS of options that meet both requirements - American cars have become as reliable as any others - and the cars are very often compelling as well.

Americans are not as supportive of their own Auto Industry as most are in other countries. For various reasons - it is hard to find "imported" cars with major market share in Asian countries - and in Europe - a great example would be Fiat and the Italian Market - where they but them even though they are not great.

The Tesla is not on the list because of point number one mentioned above - Tesla has not yet had any profits to be on the Books in the USA. When it does - it could qualify. So far - the only thing Tesla has generated is tax losses which no doubt will be carried forward.

HenryN - 6/20/2016 10:59:21 AM

+2 Boost

TomM wrote: "The Tesla is not on the list because of point number one mentioned above - Tesla has not yet had any profits to be on the Books in the USA. When it does - it could qualify. So far - the only thing Tesla has generated is tax losses which no doubt will be carried forward."

@TomM and the unnamed "associate professor from American University", if this is the logic for not including Tesla on the list then it is a lot of hog wash.

Sure Tesla has no "profits" to show for, but it is generating a lot economy around its operations - R&D, manufacturing, jobs, secondary economic factors (wealth consuming stuffs like buying power, sales taxes, ...), most within the US of A. If this is not important for the economy, then what is ?

Speaking of profits, GM has done quite well in recent years - but that does not erase the sins it made prior to its bankruptcy and bailout. Billions of investor dollars disappeared into thin air while the UAW reaped the benefits.

In term of R&D and technology, there is no question Tesla is the leader in the EV space. Without Tesla, we probably still discuss Prius as the most advanced mass-produced vehicle out there. Tesla changed that, and is the main driver for EV development around the world.

HenryN - 6/19/2016 11:57:09 AM

+3 Boost

Happy Father's Day. Men are allowed to gloat and brag today - but only for one day OK?

As usual, any car discussion without Tesla is missing something especially it fits the subject perfectly - it's made right here in America (well if you still consider CA a part of America). The Model S is big, bold and can take on anything short of a superbike. So American and what's not to like?

MDarringer - 6/19/2016 12:12:06 PM

+1 Boost

I gloat every day because I'm infallible. :) (See what I did there?)

Happy Father's Day to you (if you are one).

SanJoseDriver - 6/19/2016 4:22:22 PM

+4 Boost

I wonder why Tesla isn't on the list. They should easily be in the 90+ range.

MDarringer - 6/19/2016 5:55:00 PM

-1 Boost

Maybe Tesla isn't making America great *ducks* :)