EVs dominate the most American-made cars index and it’s not just because of Tesla

In a remarkable showcase of American manufacturing, Tesla has secured the top four positions in the 2025 American-Made Index (AMI), a yearly ranking by Cars.com that evaluates vehicles built and sold in the United States. Tesla's stronghold on the AMI is well-established, as the company has consistently appeared in the top 10 since it began participating in this index five years ago. Notably, the Model 3 has been crowned the most 'American-made' vehicle for this year. However, what may surprise many is that electric vehicles (EVs) have claimed six of the top ten spots on the AMI. Alongside Tesla's models, the Kia EV6 and Volkswagen ID.4 have also made impressive showings, landing in the 6th and 10th positions, respectively. The AMI assesses current model-year vehicles based on several key criteria, including final assembly location, the percentage of U.S. and Canadian parts, and manufacturing workforce metrics. To compile the 2025 AMI, Cars.com analyzed around 400 vehicles from the current model year, ultimately highlighting 99 that met their criteria. It's worth noting that heavy-duty vehicles like the Tesla Cybertruck and Rivian R1S, both manufactured in the U.S., were not eligible for this ranking. The Kia EV6 stands out for another reason: it boasts an impressive 80% of its parts sourced from the U.S. and Canada, the highest of any vehicle available in America today. In a notable increase, 11 battery-electric vehicles made it onto this year's AMI, including the Ford F-150 Lightning, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Kia EV9 SUV, compared to just eight qualifying in the previous year. The rise in EV representation indicates a significant shift in the automotive landscape, reinforcing that the industry's commitment to electrification is tangible. Looking ahead, industry experts express concern over potential challenges that could impact this momentum, including rising prices, tariffs, and the proposed elimination of federal EV tax credits, which are currently part of ongoing discussions in the Senate.