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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsYour Car is Probably More (or Less) American Than You Think
Every year on Independence Day, millions of Americans tackle the same series of questions: Where can I go to see the fireworks? What kind of snarky Facebook status update can I write that will make me feel superior while irritating my British friends? And what does it really mean to be American?
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Well, here's a new one: What does it really mean for a car to be American? Once it was as simple as Chevy=American, Honda=Japanese and BMW=German. But global manufacturing, global design centers and global supply chains have muddied those distinctions. If a car is designed at Toyota's Californian studio by American industrial designers, then produced by American workers at Toyota's Mississippi factory, is that a Japanese car?
American University's Kogod School of Business has released an index to help answer questions like these. They've looked at the big picture by taking all of the following into account:
By crunching the numbers, they've determined a ranking of what are, in essence, the most- and least-American cars. Top of the list is nothing to brag about, I'm afraid: The 2015 Buick Enclave is ranked #1 with an 87.5% domestic content figure.
[center][/center]
Well, here's a new one: What does it really mean for a car to be American? Once it was as simple as Chevy=American, Honda=Japanese and BMW=German. But global manufacturing, global design centers and global supply chains have muddied those distinctions. If a car is designed at Toyota's Californian studio by American industrial designers, then produced by American workers at Toyota's Mississippi factory, is that a Japanese car?
American University's Kogod School of Business has released an index to help answer questions like these. They've looked at the big picture by taking all of the following into account:
- Profit Margin: Where the automaker's global headquarters is located
- Labor: Where the car is assembled
- Research and Development Inventory, Capital, and Other Expenses: Location of assembly
- Engine and Transmission: Location of production
- Body, Interior, Chassis, Electrical, and Other: Location of production
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration AALA "Domestic Content" Score
By crunching the numbers, they've determined a ranking of what are, in essence, the most- and least-American cars. Top of the list is nothing to brag about, I'm afraid: The 2015 Buick Enclave is ranked #1 with an 87.5% domestic content figure.
Read the article here.
Check your cars ranking here.
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For what it's worth my car is #45, with 45% domestic content. How about yours?
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Your Car is Probably More (or Less) American Than You Think (Original Post)
Agschmid
Jul 2015
OP
Tied for 6th, at 80% domestic content, just about what I'd figured (though not a 2015 model)
Electric Monk
Jul 2015
#12
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)1. So where does my 1993 Toyota fit in?? n/t
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)13. Tercel.
It is old but going strong.
Agschmid
(28,749 posts)14. Phew.
DesertFlower
(11,649 posts)3. i drive an '05 mazda miata.
Agschmid
(28,749 posts)4. #83 on the list!
tammywammy
(26,582 posts)5. #82
But I didn't expect it to be higher. It's a Volkswagen Tiguan, built in Germany...Japanese transmission I think.
Agschmid
(28,749 posts)6. I was surprised mine was so high!
Built in Indiana, can't imagine it's union though unfortunately.
NorthCarolinaL
(51 posts)7. The reason I bought a Yaris
is because it's about the most Japanese. Now I find they did some R&D somewheres else? D'oh!
Agschmid
(28,749 posts)9. Why did you want Japanese?
Travis_0004
(5,417 posts)16. They hold their resale value a lot better
Toyota and Honda are the two best brands out there IMO.
Travis_0004
(5,417 posts)8. Mazda 3, I got a score of 6
I thought it was 0, so its higher than expected.
malokvale77
(4,879 posts)10. I'm pretty sure my 1989 Toyota...
is pure Japanese. The index wasn't helpful.
I have to buy Japanese made parts (they're expensive). The Taiwanese parts don't hold up.
Agschmid
(28,749 posts)11. Yes that's true it is geared towards current model years.
Electric Monk
(13,869 posts)12. Tied for 6th, at 80% domestic content, just about what I'd figured (though not a 2015 model)
Agschmid
(28,749 posts)15. Nicely done, #1 at putting your money where your mouth is so far.
Good show.
Electric Monk
(13,869 posts)18. I would love a Tesla, but they're a bit out of my price range :) nt
Midwestern Democrat
(806 posts)17. Tied for #3 - Ford Taurus 82.5% domestic content