The 2025 American-Made Index (AMI) by Cars.com shows electric vehicles gaining ground, with battery-powered models claiming six of the top 10 spots.

The ranking evaluates vehicles based on assembly location, parts content from the US and Canada, and the origin of engines and transmissions.

Among the top-ranked EVs, the Kia EV6 and Volkswagen ID.4 secured the sixth and tenth positions, respectively.

The Kia EV6, built in Georgia, features 80% US and Canadian parts — the highest percentage among all vehicles sold in the country.

Tesla dominated the list, securing the top four positions, with the Model 3 recognized as the most “American-made” vehicle.

In total, 11 electric vehicles made it onto the 2025 list, up from eight last year, including models like the Ford F-150 Lightning, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Kia EV9 SUV.

🔗 Source: TechCrunch

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ A dramatic shift in “American-made” leadership over the past decade

The 2025 American-Made Index represents a profound transformation from just five years ago when the landscape looked completely different.

In 2019, the Toyota Camry topped the index with 75% of its parts sourced from the U.S. or Canada, while Tesla wasn’t even in the top 10 1.

This shift reflects Tesla’s strategic commitment to domestic manufacturing, which dates back to 2017 when it was noted as the only automaker assembling 100% of its U.S.-sold vehicles domestically 2.

The rise of EVs in the rankings challenges traditional assumptions about American manufacturing, which historically centered on Detroit’s Big Three automakers rather than newer EV specialists or foreign brands producing in America.

Despite the high rankings, it’s worth noting that even today’s most “American-made” vehicles still source roughly a quarter of their components internationally, with the index showing no vehicle reaches 100% domestic content 3.

2️⃣ Foreign brands increasingly dominate American automotive manufacturing

Kia’s impressive showing with the EV6 having 80% U.S./Canadian parts content exemplifies a larger trend of international automakers establishing significant manufacturing operations within the United States.