For the first time, 5 Tesla models earned the top 3 spots in the 2026 Kogod Made in America Auto Index.  

The Model 3 model ranked no. 1. The Model Y and Model 3 Performance ranked no. 2, the Cybertruck and Model S came in at no. 3.   At no. 4 were the Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Willys 3.6L.   The Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee ranked at no. 5. Tesla’s Model X and Ford’s Bronco and Ranger ranked at no. 6. The Jeep Wrangler and the Cadillac Escalade EV ranked at no. 7.  Ford’s Explorer, Mustang (automatic),  Expedition, and Lincoln Aviator and Navigator ranked #8.  Sister models, the Chevy Express and GMC Savanna, ranked no. 9, and the VW ID4 EV jumped from #33 last year to no. 10 in 2026.  

In evaluating the rankings, it’s important to consider how changes in US/Canadian content and sourcing of engines or transmissions can shift the ranking order.  A case in point is the Lincoln Corsair, which ranked 44 in 2021 (25% US/Canadian Content and a Spanish engine).  In 2022 it jumped to the number one ranking thanks to an increase in US/Canadian content to 72% and a US-sourced engine.  In 2023 it dropped to no. 6 due to a drop in US/Canadian content.  In 2024 it was no. 11, and this year it ranked at no. 12.  The Ford Mustang is also an interesting case depending on the transmission.  Automatic transmissions are sourced in the US while manuals are imported from Mexico.  The high-performance Mustang GTD is assembled in Canada with a US engine and Mexican transmission.  It does, however, have 70% US/Canadian content, but there is no way to determine how much of that is US versus Canadian.  
 
 Looking at the past 10 years of data, there are interesting changes in composition of the top 10.  Tesla began production of the Model S in 2012; we could find no data until the 2013 model year, when it entered the index at no. 14.  Tesla now has 6 models in the top 10. The 2013 index was dominated by the traditional Big 3, Ford, GM, and Chrysler (premerger with Fiat). With the Chrysler-Fiat merger (Creating Fiat Chrysler Automotive),  we chose to reduce the weights to 50% for Profit Margin and R&D. Despite these changes, FCA vehicles (now known as Stellantis) do quite well in the index.  In 2013, the index was dominated by vehicles from the Big 3 with only one non-US vehicle, the Toyota Avalon at no. 10. Considering the changes in domestic content since 2015 by manufacturers with significant sales and operations in the USA, we found that foreign manufacturers were likely to increase the US sourcing overall in comparison to US manufacturers.  The following table shows a comparison in average Total Domestic Content (TDC) for the major manufacturers in 2015, 2025, and 2026.

As shown in the above table, compared to 2025, FCA/Stellantis and Ford saw significant increases in domestic content. Domestic content for Tesla, VW, GM, Toyota, Nissan, and Honda all maintained a consistent level of content. Tesla, which offered only one model in 2015, now offers eight. Overall, this indicates an increasing focus on the part of foreign manufacturers to increase their US manufacturing footprint, especially since 2013. Domestic manufacturers, with more experience in developing North American sourcing strategies since the ratification of the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994, have been more likely to look to Mexican suppliers for many of their parts and components. Ford increased their manufacturing and sourcing from Mexico with assembly of the Bronco Sport, the Mustang Mach-E, and the Maverick. VW’s big jump in US content is attributable to the relocation of ID.4 EV manufacturing from Germany to its US plant in Tennessee. In the future, recent revisions to NAFTA, in the US, Mexico, and Canada, may, however, incentivize more producers to reshore some of their parts sourcing to the USMCA. In particular, the requirement is that the percentage of hourly labor costs exceed a certain level and that a percentage of the steel and aluminum used in vehicles must be sourced in North America to get duty-free access to the US market. In addition, minimum North American content will jump from 62.5% to 75%. Another factor is the tax incentives for EV purchases that are part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. This incentive offered up to a $7500 tax credit for cars that meet certain requirements. This increased efforts by manufacturers to source EV batteries and minerals from USMCA suppliers; however, with the repeal of this tax incentive by the Trump Administration in September 2025, it is likely that overall sales of EVs will fall going forward. Likewise, some popular EVs (the VW ID Buzz for example) have been withdrawn from the US market because of high tariffs. It should be noted, however, that high fuel prices resulting from the 2026 US invasion of Iran have increased interest in EV purchases in the US. In addition, recent increases in auto tariffs to 25% on vehicles from Canada and Mexico will likely lead to a shift toward greater localization in the US.