Patriotism in the parking lot has long been a badge of honor for American car buyers. Ford F-150s, Dodge Chargers, and Chevrolet Silverados—these were the rolling thunder of the red, white, and blue. But in a twist that would give George Washington whiplash, the most American-made vehicles in 2025 aren’t built by the Big Three at all. Instead, they’re coming from California tech labs, Alabama minivan lines, and—brace yourself—a German company with a plant in Tennessee.

Here’s what you didn’t know about the “Buy American” badge: it might already be on your Honda.

Q: Wait—what exactly makes a car “American-made”?
Ah, glad you asked. It’s not about the badge on the grille, but where the car is assembled and how much of its content is sourced from within U.S. borders. The Kogod School of Business tracks this with a meticulous index that evaluates assembly location, parts sourcing, labor, and research and development.

Spoiler alert: The Tesla Model Y, assembled in Fremont, California and Austin, Texas, just topped the list—for the third year running.

Q: Tesla again? Isn’t that old news?
Not quite. What makes the Model Y’s dominance so notable is not just its made-in-America pedigree, but how it’s muscling out legacy brands on their own turf. With EVs no longer a niche hobby but a cultural shift, Tesla’s vertical integration gives it full control over production—no global supply chain dependency. It’s a bit like growing your own kale, except the kale goes 0–60 in under four seconds and doesn’t make you feel morally superior.

Also, let’s talk volume. The Model Y is now the world’s best-selling vehicle—full stop. That’s not just an EV story. That’s the automotive story.

Q: Honda? Really? Isn’t that, you know, Japanese?
Indeed. And yet, Honda is more committed to American manufacturing than many of its “domestic” rivals. The Passport, Odyssey, and Ridgeline—numbers two, five, and six on the list—are all built in Lincoln, Alabama. Not Tokyo. Not Toronto. Sweet home Alabama.

This isn’t a symbolic operation either. Honda sources most of its parts from U.S. suppliers and has been building in America since the early ‘80s. For those keeping score, that’s longer than some Tesla owners have been alive.

Q: Volkswagen’s on the list too? How did that happen?
Volkswagen’s ID.4—a fully electric SUV—is assembled in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and it’s not just a sticker job. VW spent over $800 million converting its plant for EV production. This isn’t a side hustle. It’s a full-bore investment in American jobs, batteries, and supply chains.

Yes, this is the same Volkswagen that brought us the diesel emissions scandal. Call it penance or progress, but they’re now building electric cars in the U.S. for U.S. buyers—with domestic content to match.

Q: But what about Ford, GM, and Stellantis? Where are they?
Jeep squeaks in at number eight with the Gladiator, built in Toledo, Ohio—an honest-to-goodness hometown hero. But traditional Detroit heavyweights have slid down the rankings as more of their vehicles are assembled in Mexico or Canada.

This isn’t necessarily betrayal; it’s just business. But it does mean that some of the most “American-looking” cars on the road have passports from elsewhere.

Q: Lexus made the cut?!
Shocking, isn’t it? The Lexus TX, a luxurious three-row SUV, is built in Princeton, Indiana. It’s a strategic move for Lexus, aiming squarely at the American family who wants both space and status. And with rising tariffs on imported vehicles, producing in the Midwest isn’t just patriotic—it’s practical.

Q: So… should I feel guilty about buying a Camry?
Not unless guilt extends to reliability, value, and local assembly. The Toyota Camry, built in Georgetown, Kentucky, is as American as horse racing and bourbon. At number seven on the list, it’s one of the few sedans still holding strong in an SUV-obsessed market.

Q: Is this just clever marketing? Or a real shift?
It’s both. Foreign automakers aren’t just investing in America for the optics—they’re doing it because the economics demand it. Rising tariffs, unstable global logistics, and consumer preference for quick delivery have all nudged companies to plant deeper roots in the U.S.

Meanwhile, Tesla’s dominance proves that control over every nut and bolt matters. The new definition of “American car” is less about branding and more about logistics, labor, and latitude.

Final Thought:
So next time someone asks you what it means to “buy American,” feel free to confuse them by answering: “A Honda.” Or better yet, “A Tesla.” Because in 2025, patriotism might be electric, wear a Japanese badge, or roll off a line in Chattanooga.

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The post What Car Brand has the Most American Made Parts appeared first on ROI TV.

Fast forward to 2025, and car buyers have a much bigger problem than picking the perfect shade of blue. Today, keeping your vehicle’s tech running smoothly is the real challenge.

J.D. Power’s latest Vehicle Dependability Study has revealed some shocking trends—some brands are thriving, while others are struggling with a surge in problems.

Vehicle Dependability Is at Its Worst Since 2009

Bad news: Car reliability is hitting rock bottom.

The study shows a 6% increase in reported issues, marking the worst dependability score since 2009. That translates to 12 more headaches per 100 vehicles—a troubling statistic for car owners everywhere.

But the biggest culprit? Technology failures.

The #1 Owner Complaint: Smartphone Connectivity

Have you ever had Apple CarPlay or Android Auto randomly stop working mid-drive? You’re not alone.

For the second year in a row, smartphone connectivity is the top issue frustrating car owners. In fact, five of the top ten reported vehicle problems are tied to smartphone integration.

Manufacturers promised that over-the-air updates would fix these bugs, but 56% of owners report no improvement at all.

EVs vs. Gas Cars: The Dependability Gap Shrinks

One silver lining? Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are improving, with 33 fewer problems per 100 vehicles compared to last year.

But it’s not all good news. Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) have gotten worse, now holding the title for the most problematic vehicle type.

While gas-powered cars still have fewer issues overall, the gap between gas and EV reliability is closing fast—at this rate, EVs could catch up sooner than expected.

New Cars, New Headaches

Thinking about buying a brand-new model? You might want to think twice.

Out of 27 all-new models released in 2022, only four performed better than their segment average. That means most first-year models come loaded with problems that could leave owners frustrated.

The Most Reliable Car Brands of 2025

If you’re looking for a dependable ride, these brands stand out:

• Lexus remains the most reliable brand overall, with 140 problems per 100 vehicles.
• Buick takes the top spot for mass-market brands, with 143 problems per 100 vehicles.

Meanwhile, Toyota Motor Corporation dominates the rankings:

• The Toyota Avalon is the most reliable model in the entire study.
• Toyota and General Motors (GM) tied for the most model-level awards, each taking home six.

Final Thoughts: Tech Is Making Cars Smarter—But Not More Reliable

While vehicles today are packed with high-tech features, they’re also more prone to software glitches and connectivity failures.

If you’re in the market for a car, choosing a brand with a strong dependability record is more important than ever. And if you rely on your infotainment system, you might want to keep a backup plan—just in case it decides to stop working.

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