Texas-based EV maker Tesla becomes “more American” this year by capturing the top three spots in the 2024 Made in America Auto Index and while sharing No. 4 with Ford. The Tesla Model 3 Performance was the top finisher.
Tesla topped the 2024 Made in America Auto Index, in fact, it took the top four spots.
The Model 3 Performance topped the chart with a Total Domestic Content score of 87.5. Between its various trim levels, Tesla is considered to have eight vehicles overall, according to American University’s Kogod School of Business, which compiles the list annually.
Tesla had two vehicles finish at the top of the list last year. The index is designed to tell consumers just how much American-made comment is in their vehicle.
Vehicles are ranked based on seven criteria, including: manufacturer’s profit margin, labor, location of research and development, inventory/capital, engine, transmission, and body/chassis. These data points are used to calculate the “Total Domestic” content of vehicles sold in the U.S.
Rest of the top four
The rest of the top four were the Model Y Standard and Long Range tied at No. 2 (85) and the Cybertruck at No. 3 (82.5) with the Tesla Model S and Model X in a tie with another brand at No. 4 and a score of 80. Three versions of the Ford Mustang (GT AT, GT 5.0-liter and GT Coupe Premium) also came in with a score of 80.
The amount of American-made content in a vehicle can change quickly and dramatically. Rarely is the list a static entity. Volkswagen, Toyota, Nissan and Honda all saw increases in their scores during the past 10 years.
Conversely General Motors, Ford and Stellantis suffered drops during the same time period. Again, significant changes supply chains, manufacturing bases can have a significant impact on an automakers score. Stellantis saw its overall score drop from 60 to 46 during that time frame.
Other top finishers
The Tesla Model 3 Performance was deemed the “most American” vehicle in this year’s study.
Honda’s Passport AWD and Passport Trailsport tied at No. 5 and Jeep’s Wrangler Rubicon and Wrangler Sahara tied at No. 6. Six vehicles tied for seventh place, including the Volkswagen ID.4 AWD and several models of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon.
Rounding out the top 10 were the Volkswagen ID.4 RWD, Honda Odyssey All, Honda Ridgeline, Honda Pilot All, and Lincoln Corsair.
The composition of the Auto Index ranking has changed significantly since its first edition in 2013. That year, the list was dominated by the traditional “Big 3” automakers of Ford, GM, and Chrysler, but since then, other manufacturers such as Tesla, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai/Kia and Volkswagen have made their mark on the U.S. automotive industry and are now mainstays on the Auto Index. This is due in part to the fact that foreign manufacturers over the last decade have become more likely to increase their U.S.-sourcing in comparison to American-based manufacturers.
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Future factors
Being at the top now doesn’t guarantee a top spot forever or even next year. The changes within the industry could force a vehicle right out of a top spot.
Other policy factors, like the tax incentives offered for electric vehicle purchases under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, may lead to increased efforts by manufacturers to source EV batteries and minerals from domestic suppliers.
“Changes to international trade agreements, and the possibility of new tariffs on foreign imports, will force automakers to develop alternative supply sources for their parts and vehicles,” said Frank DuBois, the university professor who created the list in 2013.
“In the coming years, we expect to see drastic changes in the amount of American-sourced content in vehicles sold in the U.S. as carmakers adjust to a new reality.”
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