The American-Made Cars Most Impacted Less by Trump's 25% Tariffs | Carscoops

      Tesla tops the list, but other highly-rated vehicles include the Ford Mustang GT and Honda Passport.

      The Tesla Model 3 Performance boasts 87.5% domestic content, placing it ahead of the Model Y. Other Tesla models that rank highly include the Cybertruck, Model S, and Model X. However, Tesla continues to use numerous Chinese parts for its electric vehicles, which could lead to challenges with potential tariffs from the Trump administration.

      Update: With the announcement of significant tariffs on foreign-made automobiles and parts set to take effect on April 2, in honor of the “Liberation Day” duties, it’s timely to assess the most “American” cars available today. It’s essential to note that our reference to American-made cars includes those with components from both the USA and Canada, as the American Automobile Labeling Act does not differentiate between the two.

      More: Trump Imposes 25% Tariff On All Non-US Made Cars And Parts

      Effective April 2, a 25% tariff will be implemented on all foreign cars entering the United States. Additionally, the White House confirmed in a fact sheet that auto parts will also incur the same 25% tariff, even if these parts are used in vehicles assembled in the U.S. This development has created significant logistical challenges for automakers.

      To further complicate the situation, automakers importing cars under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will experience temporary relief. However, this reprieve lasts only until the Commerce Department determines how to implement the tariffs. Currently, USMCA-compliant auto parts will remain tariff-exempt, but that could change when decisions are made regarding taxing non-U.S. content.

      Original story continues below:

      You might assume that if anyone were making the most American cars, it would be the iconic brands Ford and GM. Surprisingly, they have been surpassed. The true champion of American automotive pride is Tesla. Yes, the company known for its tech-savvy image, viral memes, stock market speculation, and vehicles with inconsistent panel alignments is by far the brand with the most "Made in the USA" content.

      This revelation is not new; back in June, the Tesla Model 3 was at the top of a list curated by Cars.com. The most recent ranking comes from the Kogod School of Business at American University, highlighting the 25 vehicles built in the U.S. featuring the highest proportion of American-made content.

      Significantly, the analysis treats parts made in the U.S. and Canada as domestic content. This approach is in line with the requirements of the American Automobile Labeling Act, which instructs manufacturers to disclose the percentage of U.S. and Canadian parts without making a distinction between them.

      The Top Performers

      Leading the ranking is the Tesla Model 3 Performance, with 87.5% of its components sourced from domestic suppliers. It is closely followed by the Tesla Model Y Long Range and the standard Model Y, which share second place with 85% domestic content. The Tesla Cybertruck ranks third with 82.5%, and both the Tesla Model S and Model X come in at 80%. The Ford Mustang GT and Mustang GT Premium, built in Detroit, also match the 80% benchmark set by the Model S and Model X.

      More: The Top 10 Most American Made Cars May Surprise You

      Trailing Tesla and Ford but still performing well are two Honda models: the Passport AWD and Passport Trailsport, which are fifth with 76.5% domestic content. Jeep's Wrangler Rubicon and Sahara boast a patriotic 76%, while Volkswagen's ID.4 AWD, along with the GMC Canyon AT4 Crew Cab and three Chevrolet Colorado models, all share a domestic content of 75.5%.

      Tesla’s Domestic Production Comes With a Caveat

      Despite Tesla's impressive standing, there’s a complication. According to Frank DuBois, the study’s author, Tesla's claim of domestic production isn't foolproof. He informed KBB that the company still depends on a significant amount of Chinese parts, particularly for motors and batteries, and could be affected by new tariffs introduced by a potential Trump administration.

      He noted that if you exclude the motors and batteries from the second-place Model 3 Long Range, it “contains 40% Chinese content.” Likewise, the Cybertruck has 20% Chinese components, frequently found in “seats, dashboard parts, and more,” he explains.

      “Automotive executives seek stability in trade relations with key partners,” DuBois stated. However, due to Trump's tariff threats and possible retaliatory measures, “We can expect a period of true instability.”

      MOST AMERICAN-MADE VEHICLES