Tesla Model 3 Acclaimed as the Most 'Domestically Produced' Automobile for 2025
In a significant turn of events, Tesla's Model 3 has regained the title of the most "American-made" vehicle in 2025, according to Cars.com's annual American-Made Index. This achievement comes after a year-long absence from the top spot, with the Model 3 falling to 21st place in 2024.
The primary catalyst for this resurgence was a recent redesign that significantly increased the Model 3's U.S. and Canadian parts content from around 50% to 75%. This boost in domestic parts content was instrumental in propelling the Model 3 back to the top of the index.
Tesla's exclusive U.S. production, strong American manufacturing workforce, and extensive U.S. parts sourcing and production footprint further bolstered the Model 3's position. The automaker assembles all its vehicles, including the Model 3, exclusively in the United States at its factories in Fremont, California, and Austin, Texas.
The evaluation by Cars.com ranks over 400 current model-year vehicles based on assembly location, parts sourcing, and manufacturing employment footprint. The index considers the extent of the U.S. manufacturing workforce involved, which favours Tesla since it produces domestically.
In addition to the Model 3, Tesla's Model Y, Model S, and Model X also appeared in the top spots of Cars.com's American-Made Index in 2025. However, Ford and General Motors did not crack the top 10, with GM leading Cars.com's full list with 15 models, followed by Ford with 13, tied with Honda.
The consumer sentiment towards American-made vehicles, while promising, has yet to be fully realised in real-world sales. Nearly 60% of Americans are willing to pay up to 10% more to buy an American-made vehicle, but the actual sales figures have not reflected this sentiment as significantly as one might expect.
Other vehicles that made it to the Top 10 in 2025 include the Jeep Gladiator, Kia EV6, Honda Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Passport, along with the Volkswagen ID.4.
In April 2025, Tesla led U.S. EV sales despite the market posting its first year-over-year decline in 14 months, with a slip of 4.4% compared to the same period last year. This achievement underscores Tesla's resilience in the face of market challenges and its continued dominance in the electric vehicle sector.
[1] Cars.com. (2025). 2025 American-Made Index. Retrieved from https://www.cars.com/cars/american-made/ [2] Tesla. (2025). Tesla Manufacturing. Retrieved from https://www.tesla.com/about/manufacturing [3] Tesla. (2025). Fremont Factory. Retrieved from https://www.tesla.com/about/manufacturing/fremont-factory [4] Tesla. (2025). Austin Gigafactory. Retrieved from https://www.tesla.com/about/manufacturing/austin-gigafactory
- The significant improvement in the parts content of Tesla's Model 3, which increased from around 50% to 75% domestic and Canadian content, contributed to the Model 3's integration of technology, showcasing that lifestyle considerations can be harmonized with technological advancements in car manufacturing.
- The Top 10 vehicles in Cars.com's American-Made Index of 2025 not only emphasized the importance of domestic production like the Tesla models, but also exemplified the growing integration of technology in various makes and models, ranging from electric vehicles like the Volkswagen ID.4 to traditional cars like the Honda Ridgeline and Odyssey.
