By Kelsey Mays
A steady decline in cars with high domestic-parts content had us wondering when the American-Made Index would have fewer than 10 cars. This year, that nearly happened. For the 2014 model year, there are no "honorable mentions"; all 10 that were eligible made the list.
In fact, just 13 models built in the U.S. reported domestic-parts content of 75 percent or higher, but three of those are going to be discontinued, meaning they're disqualified from our list. Three model years ago, 30 cars met the 75 percent threshold.
It's a clear trend, and it comes despite increased domestic car production. In 2013, automakers built 11 million vehicles in the U.S., including passenger cars and medium/heavy-duty trucks, according to Automotive News.
It's a clear trend, and it comes despite increased domestic car production. In 2013, automakers built 11 million vehicles in the U.S., including passenger cars and medium/heavy-duty trucks, according to Automotive News.
That's up 7 percent over 2012, and it came as production stayed roughly flat in Mexico and fell 3.7 percent in Canada. Through the first five months of 2014, production increased 4.4 percent in the U.S.
You'd think all of that would contribute toward a banner crop of cars with high percentages of domestic content, but for the 2014 model year, 90 models were built in the U.S. with an average domestic-parts content (not sales-weighted) of 57.1 percent, according to Cars.com's analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.
You'd think all of that would contribute toward a banner crop of cars with high percentages of domestic content, but for the 2014 model year, 90 models were built in the U.S. with an average domestic-parts content (not sales-weighted) of 57.1 percent, according to Cars.com's analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.
That decline has been steady: In the 2013 model year, 93 U.S.-built cars averaged 57.7 percent domestic content. In the 2012 model year, 86 U.S.-built cars averaged 60.5 percent domestic content.
Automakers are building vehicles on global platforms. Ford's One Ford strategy has resulted in cars like the current Focus.
"Once Ford was all about leveraging their global resources," explained Ed Kim, vice president of industry analysis at Auto Pacific.
Automakers are building vehicles on global platforms. Ford's One Ford strategy has resulted in cars like the current Focus.
"Once Ford was all about leveraging their global resources," explained Ed Kim, vice president of industry analysis at Auto Pacific.
“It's not just Ford, but all of the Big Three have become dramatically more globalized over the last five, 10 years."
It's true. Today, Chevrolet shoppers can buy a Cruze whether they're in South Carolina or South Africa. Jeep shoppers can buy a Cherokee in Pittsburgh or Paris.
The continuing drop in domestic parts is "here to stay for the long term," Kim said. Barring a reversal, it's likely an AMI in the near future won't have 10 cars.
Honda and Toyota made seven of the 10 models that made the list, but that doesn't necessarily make either automaker more "American." Of the 70 U.S.-built cars with reported domestic content of 50 percent or higher, the Detroit Three and California-based Tesla are responsible for 41 models, according to Cars.com's analysis of NHTSA data for the 2014 model year.
It's true. Today, Chevrolet shoppers can buy a Cruze whether they're in South Carolina or South Africa. Jeep shoppers can buy a Cherokee in Pittsburgh or Paris.
The continuing drop in domestic parts is "here to stay for the long term," Kim said. Barring a reversal, it's likely an AMI in the near future won't have 10 cars.
Honda and Toyota made seven of the 10 models that made the list, but that doesn't necessarily make either automaker more "American." Of the 70 U.S.-built cars with reported domestic content of 50 percent or higher, the Detroit Three and California-based Tesla are responsible for 41 models, according to Cars.com's analysis of NHTSA data for the 2014 model year.
Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Hyundai-Kia produce just 29. Then there's employment. A Cars.com study in 2012 found that despite their workforce declining by half from the early 2000s, the Detroit Three directly employed nearly three times the U.S. workforce of Toyota, Honda and Nissan.
That's why you should always keep in mind the American-Made Index rates the domestic nature of specific models, not automakers.
Ranking by Production
That's why you should always keep in mind the American-Made Index rates the domestic nature of specific models, not automakers.
Ranking by Production
The AMI rates cars based on their domestic-parts content and where they're built. It also incorporates sales for cars, excluding any portion built outside the U.S., as vehicle sales help drive employment. This year's AMI changes if you measure production instead of sales, but not by much.
10. Dodge SRT Viper
9. Honda Ridgeline
Truck purists may howl in protest of the uni body construction of the Ridgeline, but it's one of the three trucks that make the American-made list.
8. Honda Cross tour
7. Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
6. Toyota Avalon
5. Toyota Sienna
Although late in its model year cycle, the Sienna minivan maintains the fifth spot; in production it's fourth, according to AMI.
4. Toyota Tundra
Produced in San Antonio, Texas, the Tundra goes from seventh to fourth this year. By production the pickup is fifth.
3. Honda Odyssey
The Odyssey sees a bump from the fourth position in 2013, whereas the previous year's number three--the Dodge Avenger--is no longer on the list.
1. Ford F-150
Winning for the second consecutive year, the F-150 has kept the Camry at the number two spot. The best-selling truck is also number one by production.
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