These 15 Foreign Cars Are Way More 'American' Than You Think

By Benjamin Zhang April 13, 2014 12:00 PM












Car shoppers who want to support American manufacturing shouldn't dismiss the idea of buying a Toyota or Honda.
According to new rankings from American University's Kogod School of Business, some Japanese cars are more "made in America" than offerings from Ford and Chevy.
The rankings consider data including where an automaker is headquartered and where it assembles its vehicles, produces parts, and conducts research and development.

The Kogod rankings also evaluated the final destination of an automaker's profits. The report argues "the true impact of these (design and manufacturing) activities (by foreign automakers) on the U.S economy is reduced by the repatriation of profits back to the automaker's home country." Everything that's done in the U.S. earns points, scored out of 100.
The results may change how consumers think about the meaning of "made in America."

It's hardly shocking that Ford's F-Series and Chevrolet's Corvette finished at the top of the rankings as the most American cars you can buy, with a total domestic content score of 87.5 out of 100.
But not far behind are Honda's Odyssey, Ridgeline and Crosstour, and Toyota's Camry and Tundra, which all scored a 78.5. That makes them more "American" than cars like the SRT Viper (77.5), Tesla Model S (77.5), Ford Expedition (71), Chevrolet Silverado (70), Dodge Grand Caravan (69), and Chevrolet Camaro (68).

The presence of Honda and Toyota's near the top of the domestic content rankings should not come as a too much of surprise. Both automakers have invested heavily in their US manufacturing, design and development facilities.
Honda has invested more than $14 billion in U.S. manufacturing over the last couple of decades. In 2012, it produced 1.2 million cars at plants in Indiana, Ohio, and Alabama. It also operates a network of component production facilities along with multiple design centers.
Toyota's U.S. design and manufacturing operations are extensive as well. It operates major assembly plants in Kentucky, Mississippi, Texas, and Indiana, and maintains a network of engine and transmission production facilities in Alabama, Indiana, and West Virginia. Its California-based design studio, Calty Design Research, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
According to Kogod, these are the 15 "most American" foreign branded cars on sale today: (Score out of 100)

1. Honda Odyssey (78.5)
2. Honda Ridgeline (78.5)
3. Honda Crosstour (78.5)
4. Toyota Camry (78.5)
5. Toyota Tundra (78.5)
6. Honda Pilot (76)
7. Acura RDX 2WD (76)
8. Honda Accord (76)
9. Honda CR-V (76)
10. Toyota Sequoia (73.5)
11. Toyota Avalon (71.5)
12. Toyota Sienna (71.5)
13. Acura MDX (71)
14. Acura RDX 4WD (69)
15. Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (67.5)

For some perspective, here are the top 25 most "American" cars on the market today:

1. Ford F-Series Pickup (87.5)
2. Chevrolet Corvette (87.5)
3. Buick Enclave (86)
4. Chevrolet Traverse (86)
5. GMC Arcadia (86)
6. GMC Arcadia Denali (86)
7. Chevrolet Equinox (85)
8. Cadillac CTS (85)
9. GMC Terrain (85)
10. Chevrolet Express (83)
11. GMC Savana (83)
12. Chevrolet Malibu (83)
13. Buick LaCrosse (83)
14. Chevrolet Impala (83)
15. Ford Mustang (82.5)
16. Ford Taurus (82.5)
17. Cadillac Escalade (82.5)
18. Chevrolet Suburban (82.5)
19. Chevrolet Tahoe (82.5)
20. GMC Yukon (82.5)
21. Cadillac ATS (82.5)
22. Dodge Avenger (82)
23. Chrysler 200 Convertible (81)
24. Chrysler 200 Sedan (80.5)
25. Jeep Wrangler 4-Door (80.5)

See Also:

• These 15 Foreign Cars Are Way More 'American' Than You Think
• A Japanese Company Is Building An Electric Car That Can Survive A Tsunami
• A Guy Crashed His Brand New $60,000 Camaro Into A Swimming Pool

SEE ALSO: Here's The 6-Wheeled Monster Mercedes That Will Reportedly Battle Dinosaurs In The Next 'Jurassic Park'

 

that is because of inflation in japan and high wages for the workers there. it is now cheaper for japanese auto makers to have americans build the cars than it is to do it at home. dont think they are doing it because they support americans or have any love for us in their heart; they simply are going with the cheapest route possible. were just becoming a 2nd world country now

 

Kind of surprised that the camaro is so low scoring on the "American made" list. Where are all of its parts from?