Cars.com Names the Most Patriotic, “All-American” Cars and Trucks for 2009
Patriotic vehicle in the Florida Keys., originally uploaded by Round America
It is that time of the year where we proudly display our red, white, and blue, and celebrate all the courageous folks who fought for our independence so many decades ago. While American pride is a difficult subject to talk about in this sensitive and touchy world we live in, there is certainly nothing wrong with being proud of your country and helping to support its local workers and manufacturing plants. At least I hope there isn’t.
Made in the USA
In this day and age an all-American status does not necessarily mean that it has to of originated from the USA, as we find in this years Cars.com Top American-Made Cars list. In fact, many Japanese companies as of recently are bringing their factories onto American soil, offering jobs, and support for the local economies. This is part of the reason why Nissan will be receiving $1.6 billion in U.S. government funds to help build a new lithium-ion battery plant, and build onto their existing Tennessee-based electric vehicle assembly plant.
With this said, unsurprisingly it was Toyota who received top honors this year for having the most American-made vehicle. By “American-made”, Cars.com was referring to where the vehicle is made, where it sources the majority of its parts, and where they will ultimately be sold. The year, Toyota’s Camry, assembled in Georgetown, Kentucky, rated number one. Just below it, in the number two position (last years number one position), is the Ford F-150, built in Dearborn Michigan. The remaining list went as follows:
- Chevrolet Malibu, built in Kansas City, Kansas (made from 80 percent domestic materials and parts)
- Honda Odyssey, built in Lincoln Nebraska (80 percent domestic materials and parts)
- Chevrolet Silverado, built in Fort Wayne Indiana
- Toyota Sienna, built in Princeton, Indiana (85 percent domestic materials and parts)
- Toyota Tundra, built in San Antonio, Texas (80 percent domestic materials and parts)
- GMC Sierra, built in Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Ford Taurus, built in the windy city, Chicago (a whopping 90 percent domestic materials and parts)
- Toyota Venza, built in Georgetown, Kentucky (80 percent domestic materials and parts)
Made… Ahem, Outside of the USA
The vehicles above each represent the very best of what “Made in the USA” is all about. Also on the Cars.com list was a few mentions of vehicles sold in the States by American manufacturers, that may be labeled as all-American, but are not quite built that way. I am referring to the rivalry of the American muscle cars which has recently emerged again this past year.
The most American muscle you can buy for your dollar is arguably the 2009 Ford Mustang. While it only has a domestic-made content of 60 percent, it is at least made here in the USA, holding true to the old saying, “…it is as American as apple pie, baseball, and the Ford Mustang.” The Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge “Hemi” Challenger did not however fare quite so well.
GM’s Chevrolet Camaro may have the same domestic parts content as the mustang (60 percent), but it is made in Canada. The Challenger is also made in Canada, and has only a 56 percent content of American-made parts. Does this make these bad vehicles, no, certainly not. But it is a reminder that just because a vehicle appears and is advertised as an all-American classic, doesn’t necessarily mean that it is!
Have a safe and happy fourth, and don’t forget to light ‘em if you’ve got ‘em (pending it’s legal to do so in your area, of course)!
Source: Cars.com
