A recent study from American University’s Kogod School of Business highlighted Tesla’s achievement in domestic manufacturing, with the company claiming all top spots for the most American-made vehicles.
The Tesla Model 3 Performance leads the rankings with an impressive 87.5% U.S. domestic content, followed by the Model Y at 85%.
The recently launched Cybertruck has already established a strong domestic manufacturing presence, claiming third place with 82.5% American-made components.
In a tie for fourth place, Tesla’s Model S and Model X share the spot with Ford Mustang GT models, all boasting 80% domestic content.
This achievement marks the first time a single manufacturer has dominated the top rankings so comprehensively.
Table of domestic content rankings for U.S. vehicles.
| Rank | Vehicle Model | US Domestic Content |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tesla Model 3 Performance | 87.5% |
| 2 | Tesla Model Y | 85.0% |
| 3 | Tesla Cybertruck | 82.5% |
| 4 (tie) | Tesla Model S | 80.0% |
| 4 (tie) | Tesla Model X | 80.0% |
| 4 (tie) | Ford Mustang GT Models | 80.0% |
| 5 | Honda Passport | 76.5% |
| 10* | (Unspecified Model) | 73.0% |
Tesla’s manufacturing strategy emphasizes local production and supply chain efficiency.
Tesla manufactures most components for its North American Model 3 and Model Y in the U.S., with some parts sourced from Canada.
This approach aligns with both study parameters and U.S. government standards, which consider Canadian-made parts as domestic content.
However, Tesla’s focus on reducing transportation costs has played a crucial role in this achievement.
By minimizing the distance between component manufacturing facilities and their Gigafactories, Tesla has created an efficient and cost-effective production system.
In contrast, the tenth-ranked vehicle on the list has only 73% domestic content, significantly lower than Tesla’s leading models.
This gap demonstrates the substantial lead Tesla maintains in American manufacturing commitment.
Traditional domestic manufacturers like Ford, GM, and Stellantis, historically associated with American manufacturing, have been notably outperformed in these rankings.
The Honda Passport, tied for fifth with 76.5% domestic content, highlights the strong presence of international manufacturers in American production.
Tesla’s accomplishment extends beyond manufacturing logistics.
The company consistently produces vehicles that meet high safety standards and are recognized as the most American-made year after year.
A manufacturer-level analysis of entire vehicle lineups would likely show an even greater gap in domestic content percentage between Tesla and its competitors.
This announcement coincides with year-end incentives, creating an ideal opportunity for potential Tesla buyers.