Cars.com’s 2017 ranking of the most USA-made vehicles, released June 26, 2017, put two Jeeps built in Toledo, Ohio, at the top: the Jeep Wrangler first and the Jeep Cherokee second.
A new formula
Cars.com revamped its scoring for 2017. USA Today reported that the index now weighs four factors:
- where the vehicle is assembled
- the share of its parts made in the USA
- where its engine and transmission are made
- how many USA workers the automaker employs compared with its USA sales
Sales volume no longer counts as much. That change hurt the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, the two vehicles that had led earlier lists. Both fell out of the top 10.
The top five
- 1. Jeep Wrangler (Toledo, Ohio), with 74% USA parts content
- 2. Jeep Cherokee (Toledo, Ohio), with 70% USA parts content
- 3. Ford Taurus (Chicago)
- 4. Honda Ridgeline (Lincoln, Alabama)
- 5. Acura RDX (East Liberty, Ohio)
Both Jeeps get all of their engines, and nearly all of their transmissions, from USA operations. GM, Ford and Fiat Chrysler took six of the top 10 spots.
Do buyers care?
About 25% of people surveyed by Cars.com said they would consider buying only from USA automakers, up from 13% a year earlier. Analysts told USA Today that this interest does not show up clearly in sales.
For later editions, see the 2018 index and the 2019 index.
FAQ
Which vehicle ranked first in 2017?
The Jeep Wrangler, assembled in Toledo, Ohio.
What changed in the formula?
Cars.com added engine and transmission origin and USA employment, and gave sales volume less weight.
Is this the same as the window-sticker figure?
No. The parts percentages come from the American Automobile Labeling Act, but the ranking combines them with other factors.
Source & credit
Source: USA Today: “Jeep tops Cars.com list of American-made vehicles, ousting Toyota”, by Nathan Bomey, June 26, 2017.