In a stunning turn of events, Tesla Inc. has claimed the top four positions in Cars.com’s 2025 American-Made Index. Meanwhile, Jeep’s parent company Stellantis NV and General Motors Co. only managed to contribute three vehicles each, and Ford Motor Co. shockingly didn’t appear in the top 20 at all!

This revelation comes at a time when the Trump administration is intensifying scrutiny on the automotive industry for its offshoring trends. President Trump believes that his tariffs on imported vehicles and parts will boost domestic production and create high-paying jobs, although car prices have begun to rise as a result.

The index ranks vehicles based on various factors such as the origin of their powertrains, U.S. and Canadian content, and the size of each automaker’s workforce in the U.S. Out of 99 qualifying vehicles this year, the Tesla Model 3 was crowned the champion.

"I was a bit surprised by the Model 3's rise, considering it was in fourth place last year," said Patrick Masterson, the index's lead researcher. "Its domestic parts content increased significantly this year, reaching 75%!"

Behind the Model 3, Tesla’s Model Y SUV, Model S sedan, and Model X SUV rounded out the top four, with the Jeep Gladiator midsize truck making it to fifth place. Other notable entries included the Jeep Wrangler and the Chevrolet Colorado, taking spots 13 and 19, respectively.

In response to the index’s results, Stellantis chose not to comment, although it's worth noting that they recently altered advertisements claiming their vehicles are 'assembled' in the U.S. instead of 'built'—a shift to align with Federal Trade Commission regulations. In contrast, Ford pushed back with its high-profile "From America, For America" campaign. The highest-placing Ford vehicle was the F-150 Lightning electric truck, which landed at 22.

In a bid to reinforce its American roots, Ford spokesperson Dan Barbossa boasted, "We’ve added around 13,000 jobs in the U.S. since 2008 and support over 170,000 dealership jobs nationwide. Our investment in U.S. vehicle production has reached $50 billion since 2020."

General Motors, with the most vehicles on the list (15), has shifted some production from Mexico back to the U.S., announcing a $4 billion investment in three American sites. Yet, 67% of this year’s index is composed of foreign automakers, reflecting a growing trend.

Interestingly, Toyota outperformed other foreign brands with 14 models, while Honda and Ford each had 13. Alabama and Michigan led the states in production, showcasing their dominance in vehicle manufacturing.

The data has spotlighted a surprising reality for consumers: the brand badge on a vehicle doesn’t always represent its birthplace. For example, the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid made a significant leap in the rankings, while the RAV4 Hybrid saw a notable drop.

Despite the complexities, consumer sentiment shows a strong preference for American-made products. A Cars.com survey revealed that over half of consumers would pay more for a vehicle made in the U.S., and even 5% indicated a willingness to pay 50% more.

As inflation looms, the prices for American-made vehicles are edging higher, posing challenges for budget-conscious buyers. The average new vehicle price in May hit nearly $48,800, with American-made models around $53,000.

While the landscape shifts, one thing is clear: American consumers are voting with their wallets. How will Detroit respond to this unexpected Tesla dominance?