Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y topped Cars.com’s 21st annual American-Made Index (AMI).
More than a year after the announcement of tariffs, and ahead of America’s 250th anniversary, this year’s AMI list boasts 86 vehicles that made the cut.
As in previous years, Cars.com experts independently evaluated over 350 vehicles that contribute the most to the U.S. economy through manufacturing, parts sourcing and employment to generate the 2026 AMI list. Some vehicles maintained the status quo while others made their moves, securing higher rankings on this year’s list. Notably, this year’s top 10 have tied the highest average domestic parts content percentage since the AMI methodology changed to its current form in 2020.
For the sixth year in a row, Tesla claims the most American-made vehicle, with the Model 3 followed by the Model Y for a second consecutive year. Stellantis snags spots three and four with the Jeep Gladiator and Grand Cherokee while Honda sweeps half of the top 10 with the Ridgeline, Odyssey, Accord, Passport and Acura MDX. The automaker with the most vehicles on this year’s list, Toyota, also boasts a top 10 placement with the Lexus TX.
“This year’s list represents the ongoing evolution and diversification of American-made vehicles,” said Patrick Masterson, lead researcher for Cars.com’s American-Made Index. “Notably, nearly two-thirds of this year’s list was produced by foreign automakers, about the same as in 2025, while the Detroit Three holds approximately one-third of the vehicles. Seeing so many foreign automakers on the list often surprises consumers, but this goes to show just how complex modern automotive manufacturing really is.”
Consumers care about American jobs, according to a recent Cars.com consumer survey, which found that 57% of respondents said they are willing to pay more for a vehicle if it creates U.S. jobs, with 69% willing to spend 5% to 10% more for a vehicle to keep jobs in the U.S. Additionally, almost half say that tariffs are a concern while shopping for a new car, with 42% saying that tariffs have made them more likely to buy an American-made vehicle.1
“American innovation has long helped drive the future of automotive forward,” Masterson remarked. “Cars are a key part of Americana, from summer road trips to drive-ins, which is why highlighting the vehicles that continue to fuel the American auto industry is so critical to economic growth on U.S. soil. This index exists to help people better understand the complexities of the automotive industry and help those who want to make an impact with their purchase to know and understand what it actually means to be made in America.”
Notably, by state, Michigan still has the most AMI-ranked factories, but overall, half are in the South, 7% more than in the Midwest. Of the 46 U.S.-based auto plants, 25 are run by foreign-owned automakers and 21 by domestic-owned.
