Tesla Model 3 leads American-Made Index: 'There is a high consumer focus on buying American-made vehicles'

Cars.com has recently released its 2021 American-Made Index (AMI), naming Tesla Model 3 as the No. 1 most-American-made vehicle for this year.

This marks Tesla’s first year in topping the list and also the first time an all-electric vehicle has made it to the top spot.

“Tesla has now cemented itself firmly on Cars.com’s American-Made Index, with the Model 3 and the Model Y taking the No. 1 and No. 3 spots, respectively,” Kelsey Mays, Cars.com assistant managing editor and the AMI’s lead researcher, told Cars.com. “The 2021 AMI arrives against a backdrop of scarce inventory amid a microchip shortage and heightened consumer demand. Despite this, there remains a high consumer focus on buying American-made vehicles as the economy is still emerging from the effects of the pandemic. For those interested in making the biggest impact here, the index gives shoppers a way to purchase the most American-made vehicle.”

Notably, Tesla’s winning year is only its second year of participation.

Chevrolet Corvette came at No. 5 on the list and the Toyota Tundra came last at No. 10. The AMI is a yearly list ranking new vehicles that contribute most to the U.S. economy, based on criteria ranging from U.S. factory jobs and manufacturing plants to parts sourcing.

According to a poll conducted by Cars.com between June 10 and 14, about a third of car shoppers are more likely to buy an American-built vehicle.