The Most American Cars of 2018

Do you fly your American flag every chance you get? Are you as free as Ron Swanson, only living off steak and single-malt whiskey? Well then, there’s only one thing left to ask. How American is your car?

We’re diving into the allegiance of some of the most well-known cars in America to determine which vehicle is truly American Made.

Which model do you think will be the Most American car?

While some automotive reporters list the most American cars based solely on factory employment numbers or the origin of a few parts, the Kogod School of Business takes it a step further. This list considers profit margin, general labor, research and development, origin of major parts, inventory, capital, other expenses, and more to determine the “Total Domestic Content.” Their research is exhaustive, giving consumers a reliable idea of how “American” a car is.

Sidenote: Since we’re only halfway through 2019, there’s not enough data on this year’s models, but we’re giving you a look into what 2018 vehicles were truly the most American to see if your vehicle stacks up.

To see the original and complete list, check out the 2018 Kogod Made in American Auto Index.

We’ve all heard the phrase “American Muscle” before. This term was given to high-performance cars made in the 1960s and 1970s and it has stuck ever since. What many don’t realize is that these “American” muscle cars aren’t always that American. These iconic cars have become symbolic of the U.S. motto of freedom and power, but do they count as American Made?

See if your idea of Made in the USA matches up with the highest ranking American Made vehicles.

% = Percent of US/Canadian content from Kogod School of Business.

Chevrolet’s Corvette A/T takes the cake for the most American muscle car made in 2018. Corvettes became a popular muscle car after its release in 1953. It became one of the first American cars to enter into a predominantly European sports car market. It slowly started the muscle car movement before it became what it is today. And nothing says freedom like driving down a dirt road with the top down at top speed, right?

Surprisingly, the Dodge Charger is one of the most American Made muscle cars today. You probably remember seeing a Dodge Charger in some movie memories like Dukes of Hazzard, Bullitt, and Blade. With 63% of this car being made in the U.S., we’re giving it American Made status.

Another “American Classic” is the Chevy Camaro. Camaros are featured in some of the most memorable American movies like Remember the Titans, the original Transformers, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. At least it’s more American than its not, right?

Ford’s Mustang has been a resounding symbol of American power and speed since its inception in 1964. But the 2018 Mustang is only about 56% American made. Be happy you didn’t place your bet on this pony for the most American Made car.

% = Percent of US/Canadian content from Kogod School of Business.

What might bum some Americans out is the fact that most American Made vehicle of 2018 was the Grand Caravan, a mini-van! For all the soccer mom’s out there, you can rejoice in knowing that you supported the lives and jobs of Americans everywhere! 

Honda’s Odyssey (mini-van) and Ridgeline (mid-size truck) take second place in the USA-made category. With 75% of each vehicle made in the U.S., Honda, although headquartered in Japan, is becoming more of an American company than you would think.

Jeep Wranglers are some of the most popular vehicles on U.S. roads today. With high demand in the United States, Jeep has delivered on a truly American car that many patriots remain loyal to.

Both the Acura MDX and TLX are U.S. family favorites. The MDX is considered a luxury crossover, while the TLX is the upgraded replacement of the previous TSX car. While Acura isn’t the first brand to come to mind when we say American cars, these two vehicles make it in the top 5 of most American cars.

You can’t spell American without truck. See look: Ameri(truck)can. Shh, it’s in there. Trust me. Ford’s F-150 has been in the top five most American made vehicles for several years and 2018 was no different.

Were you surprised to see that many of the classic American cars weren’t as high in U.S. content as some of the more modern, everyday drivers? Today’s car manufacturing processes are much different than those of the past, but it’s interesting to see what companies have a large stake of their process in the U.S. From American Muscle to American Functionality, there are still cars on the road that can be truly called American made.