Tesla Model Y Tops Cars.com’s List of Most American-Made Vehicles

For the third consecutive year, Tesla’s Model Y electric vehicle (EV) has been crowned the most American-made vehicle on Cars.com’s American-Made Index (AMI). The company also managed to secure three models in the top 10 rankings for 2024.

The AMI assesses hundreds of vehicles annually based on factors including domestic parts content, factory employment, and assembly location. Researchers found that 66% of the top 100 models are produced by international automakers with U.S. production operations focused in Southern states.

In contrast, Tesla previously swept the top four spots in 2023. As for 2024, its Model X SUV dropped to 9th place and the Model 3 went to 21st place. Tesla’s Model S ranks fourth, staying in the top 5 spot. Still, the Model Y retained its 1st place position followed by Honda’s Passport SUV at 2nd place and Volkswagen’s ID.4 EV in third, and the Honda Odyssey at fifth. Click Here to see the full list.

In detail, the rankings underline how foreign automakers such as Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, and Mercedes-Benz have invested heavily in U.S. assembly plants, predominantly across Southern states like Alabama according to Cars.com. Moreover, a full 15 vehicles on the AMI list are now produced in Alabama alone.

Furthermore, over 50% of vehicles in the top 100 are built at non-union factories in the South and merely 39% came from facilities represented by the United Auto Workers labor union. Notably, despite this Southern migration, Michigan remains the leader with 16 vehicles on the index split between the Detroit Three automakers. General Motors landed the most models overall at 18, followed by Ford with 12 according to Cars.com.

As a result, the AMI reflects broader production shifts as the U.S. automotive landscape transitions to electric mobility, where the number of U.S.-based auto production facilities has surged 144% amid this electrification push since 2020. With Tesla continuing its efforts for vertical integration and local sourcing, its Model Y’s third straight 1st place finish validates the company’s role in bringing EVs to mainstream U.S. production.

If you are looking for the 2024 Tesla Model Y, we can help you get started. Click Here to find the best deals near you. Want to learn more about EVs? Thinking of buying an EV? Head over to EV.com and discover more.