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American-Made Index 2022: How American is your truck?

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Every year before the most-American holiday, Cars.com puts out its annual American-Made Index. This study takes a look at the 379 light-duty vehicles you can buy in the U.S. and ranks the top 95 American-made cars, trucks and SUVs. And, frankly, I’m always surprised which trucks come out on top, and which finish dead last.

In the trucks arena, you’d think Ford, Chevy, GMC and Ram would top the list. And you’d be wrong. In the case of Chevy and GMC full-size trucks, you’d be dead wrong.

So, which truck is actually the most “American”? Well, it’s the Honda Ridgeline for the second year in a row. Weird, right? Especially since that’s the only truck that makes the top 10.

There are three other Detroit Three trucks that do hit the top 20, but they’re all midsize: GMC Canyon, Chevy Colorado and Ford Ranger.

How are these trucks ranked?

Before everyone gets their knickers in a twist, let’s talk a bit about Cars.com’s methodology. The publication bases its rankings on five different criteria, and assembly location is just one of them. The other four: parts content, engine origins, transmission origins and U.S. manufacturing workforce.

Therefore, it not only looks at where the parts are coming from but how many Americans are employed in the making of the vehicle.

To me, that makes it even more fascinating the Detroit Three don’t have more trucks higher up on the list.

Where are the full-size trucks?

There isn’t a single full-size truck that makes the top 10 on the American-Made Index for 2022. Last year, Toyota Tundra hit No. 10, but this year with an all-new model, it dropped down to 23. And that’s for the gasoline model. The hybrid Tundra didn’t make the list at all.

The most-American full-size truck in 2022 is the Ford F-150 gasoline model.

The biggest shocker on this list: Where the refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado fall. They are one vehicle shy of being dead last. Yikes.

Curious about where all the trucks fall? The complete list of trucks is below. If you want to see all vehicles, be sure to visit the entire Cars.com American-Made Index study.

RankModelAssembly location for cars sold in the U.S.(Rank in the 2021 AMI)
8Honda RidgelineLincoln, Ala.6
12GMC CanyonWentzville, Mo.15
13Chevrolet ColoradoWentzville, Mo.14
17Ford RangerWayne, Mich.28
21Ford F-150Claycomo, Mo., or Dearborn, Mich.29
23Toyota TundraSan Antonio10
40Jeep GladiatorToledo, Ohio40
45Ram 1500Sterling Heights, Mich.42
56Ford F-150 hybridDearborn, Mich.43
58Nissan TitanCanton, Miss.51
68Nissan FrontierCanton, Miss.57
82Ram 1500 Classic*Warren, Mich.89
93Chevrolet Silverado 1500*Roanoke, Ind.74
94GMC Sierra 1500*Roanoke, Ind.80

Um, what happened to the Toyota Tacoma?

Previously, the Toyota Tacoma made the list, albeit at No. 87, but it dropped off for 2022. According to the editors at Cars.com, this is because Toyota is now only selling imported models, which are assembled in Baja California or Guanajuato, Mexico. Prior to this model year, some Tacomas were assembled in San Antonio, Texas, but that is no longer the case.

The bottom line on the American-Made Index

If supporting American manufacturing is your goal, it’s always worth doing a little research to see where the jobs and parts really originate.

So, if you’re buying a truck based on name alone, you might not be buying the most-American truck. While it seems weird to buy a Honda or a Toyota and call that American, in 2022 we have a global economy, so what is American now isn’t what was American once upon a time.

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Jill Ciminillo

Jill Ciminillo is the Managing Editor for Pickup Truck + SUV Talk as well as a Chicago-based automotive writer, YouTube personality and podcast host, with her articles and videos appearing in outlets throughout the U.S. Additionally, she co-hosts a weekly radio show on car stuff for a local Chicago station. Previously, Jill has been the automotive editor for both newspaper and broadcast media conglomerates. She is also a past president for the Midwest Automotive Media Association and has the distinction of being the first female president for that organization. Jill is also currently a juror for the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year (NACTOY).

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2 Comments

  1. tim ward June 29, 2022

    ram dealership I talked to the other day said 80% of new trucks ordered for stock will be 6 cyl. If you want a v8 you better order it.

    Reply
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      Jill Ciminillo July 1, 2022

      that could also be why so many Rams are sitting on lots … people want the V-8 but they’re equipped with the V-6. 🤔

      Reply

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