What exactly is an "American" car?

Did you know the most "American made" car sold in the US is the Toyota Camry? And the runner up is the Honda Accord? Our understanding of what makes a car American is constantly evolving. 

With the US economy on its heels, citizens are more protective of job opportunities in our country than ever before. One of the most protected areas happens to be the automobile business, partially because of the huge amount of jobs created by factories and dealerships and partially due to the widespread belief that foreign car companies are taking over thousands of American jobs. 

However, many fail to understand that "American" car companies, like Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, Lincoln, and other GM brands, are not necessarily the saviors of the American economy that people may view them as. For instance, several of Ford's models are assembled completely in Turkey and then shipped to the US to be sold. Similarly, Lincoln's MKZ is built in Mexico and shipped to the US while the Dodge Charger and Chevrolet Camaro find their home in Canada. 

On the flipside, you may be surprised where some "foreign" car companies assemble their vehicles. Mazda's Mazda6 is built in Michigan, while Toyota's Camry and their full line of pickups are birthed in Kentucky. The Mitsubishi Eclipse also finds its home stateside. 

So, next time you hear somebody complain about those "foreign car companies" taking US jobs, remind them that your Camry is actually more American than their Charger. 

The AIDIA (American International Automobile Dealers' Association) has created a website that lets users see for themselves where foreign automakers produce their vehicles, and how deep their roots run in the United States. You can access it here.