The American-Made Cars That Are Least Impacted by Trump's Broad Tariffs | Carscoops

      Tesla leads the ranking of vehicles made in the U.S., with other notable models being 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 high-ranking Tesla vehicles include the Cybertruck, Model S, and Model X. However, Tesla still incorporates a substantial amount of Chinese components in its electric vehicles, which could be affected by potential tariffs under Trump.

      Update: The Trump administration has announced extensive “Liberation Day” tariffs following the previously introduced 25% tariff on foreign-made cars and auto parts. This seems an opportune moment to reassess the vehicles currently deemed the most “American” in the market. It's important to note that American-made vehicles include parts sourced from both the USA and Canada, as the American Automobile Labeling Act does not differentiate between the two.

      Beginning April 2, a 25% tariff will be imposed on all foreign cars entering the U.S. Additionally, the White House has confirmed that auto parts like engines and transmissions also face this same 25% tariff, even if they are used in vehicles assembled in the U.S. by May 3. Consequently, automakers are now grappling with significant logistical challenges as production lines dependent on global sourcing are thrown into chaos.

      To compound the situation, Trump has also announced a series of extensive “reciprocal tariffs” on imports from around the world. These tariffs range from 10% to 50%, depending on the country, including a 34% tariff on Chinese products, 20% on goods from the European Union, and 24% on imports from Japan. Additionally, there is a new baseline tariff of 10% on all imports into the U.S., regardless of their origin.

      There is uncertainty about whether all these overlapping tariffs will be applied cumulatively, but many analysts expect that they will. Autonews reports that experts believe the tariffs could indeed stack. According to Thibault Denamiel, a trade expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a sedan imported from Germany could potentially incur the 25% auto tariff, the current reciprocal tariff, and an existing 2.5% levy on European vehicles, totaling 47.5%.

      This situation could dramatically increase the prices of foreign-made vehicles, likely forcing automakers to pass these additional costs on to consumers.

      There is some temporary relief available—at least on paper—since automakers importing vehicles under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will enjoy short-term protection, but only until the Commerce Department determines how to enforce the new regulations. Currently, parts compliant with USMCA remain free from tariffs. However, it remains uncertain how long this exemption will continue as regulators establish how to define and tax non-U.S. content.

      Original story continues below.

      You might assume that Ford and GM, the iconic brands of American automobiles, would be responsible for producing the most American-made cars. However, they've been surpassed. Surprisingly, Tesla has emerged as the true leader of American automotive pride, significantly outpacing its competitors.

      This isn't the first time we've noted Tesla's American manufacturing credentials. In June, the Tesla Model 3 was recognized as the leading model by Cars.com. The latest rankings, conducted by the Kogod School of Business at American University, highlight the 25 cars manufactured in the U.S. with the highest percentage of American-made components.

      Crucially, this analysis considers parts originating from both the U.S. and Canada as domestic content, as the American Automobile Labeling Act mandates that manufacturers report the percentage of American and Canadian parts without differentiation.

      Top Performers

      The Tesla Model 3 Performance took first place, with 87.5% of its parts sourced from domestic suppliers. It was closely followed by the Tesla Model Y Long Range and the base Model Y, which both achieved 85% domestic content. The Tesla Cybertruck came in third at 82.5%, while both the Tesla Model S and Model X tied at 80%. The Detroit-manufactured Ford Mustang GT and Ford Mustang GT Premium also matched the Model S and Model X at 80%.

      Trailing Tesla and Ford but still ranking high are two Honda models, the Passport AWD and Passport Trailsport, which secured fifth place with 76.5% domestic content. Jeep's Wrangler Rubicon and Sahara models proudly display 76%, while Volkswagen's ID.4 AWD, GMC Canyon AT4 Crew Cab, and three Chevrolet Colorado models all stand at 75.5%.

      Tesla’s Made-in-America Claim Comes With a Caveat

      Despite Tesla's strong performance, there is an important qualification. Frank DuBois, the author of the study, indicated that Tesla's leading position might not be as solid as it appears. He mentioned to KBB that Tesla still relies heavily on a significant number of Chinese components, particularly for motors and batteries, and could be adversely affected