Cars.com Announces Its 2026 Most American-Made Vehicles Ahead of Country's 250th

Rhea-AI Summary

Cars.com (NYSE:CARS) released its 2026 American-Made Index, featuring 86 qualifying vehicles. Around 65% of models are from foreign automakers, while the Detroit Three hold about one-third. Tesla’s Model 3 ranks first, followed by Model Y, Jeep Gladiator, Jeep Grand Cherokee and several Honda models.

Tariffs since 2025 have reduced eligible models from 99 to 86 and influenced prices and lineups. Electrified vehicles’ share fell from 30% to 24%, with EVs on the list dropping from 11 to five as the federal EV tax credit sunset. A survey shows 57% of shoppers would pay more to support U.S. jobs.

News Market Reaction – CARS

-0.51%

-0.51% Session close to close

In the Jun 23 session, CARS declined 0.51%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

This announcement reinforces Cars.com’s role as a data source on U.S. manufacturing, highlighting 86...

Analysis

This announcement reinforces Cars.com’s role as a data source on U.S. manufacturing, highlighting 86 qualifying models and strong consumer interest in American jobs. Investors may watch how this visibility offsets elevated short positioning and recent insider selling.

Key Figures

Foreign automakers share: 65% Vehicles on 2026 AMI: 86 vehicles Vehicles evaluated: 350+ vehicles +5 more

8 metrics

Foreign automakers share 65% Portion of 2026 American-Made Index vehicles from foreign automakers

Vehicles on 2026 AMI 86 vehicles Models that qualified for Cars.com 2026 American-Made Index

Vehicles evaluated 350+ vehicles Number of vehicles independently evaluated for 2026 American-Made Index

Willing to pay more 57% Survey respondents willing to pay more if vehicle creates U.S. jobs

Pay 5–10% more 69% Respondents willing to spend 5–10% more to keep jobs in U.S.

Tariffs drive American-made 42% Respondents more likely to buy American-made vehicle due to tariffs

Toyota AMI entries 14 vehicles Number of Toyota vehicles contributing to 2026 American-Made Index

Honda AMI entries 13 vehicles Number of Honda vehicles contributing to 2026 American-Made Index

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jun 11 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Jun 11	Inducement equity grant	Neutral	-0.5%	Inducement RSUs granted to new CMO under equity plan exemption.
Jun 11	Executive appointment	Positive	-0.5%	Appointment of new Chief Marketing Officer to drive growth initiatives.
May 07	Earnings results	Positive	+10.2%	Q1 2026 beat with revenue growth, profitability and raised buyback target.
Apr 27	Product launch	Positive	-0.7%	Launch of VIN-specific AI video solution for dealer inventory marketing.
Apr 09	Capital return update	Positive	+7.3%	Update on initiatives, higher share repurchase target and cost reductions.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

CARS often reacts positively to major financial updates but has shown weak or negative reactions to strategic or product news.

Key Terms

tariffs, federal ev tax credit, american automobile labeling act, plug-in hybrids

4 terms

tariffs regulatory

"More than a year after the announcement of tariffs, and ahead of America's 250th"

Tariffs are taxes imposed by a government on goods imported from other countries. They increase the cost of those goods, which can lead to higher prices for consumers and impact international trade. For investors, tariffs matter because they can influence the profitability of companies, affect supply chains, and shift economic stability across different regions.

federal ev tax credit regulatory

"leads back to the sunsetting of the federal EV tax credit in the fall of 2025"

A federal EV tax credit is a government benefit that lowers the amount of income tax a buyer owes when they purchase a qualifying electric vehicle, effectively acting like a sizable coupon that reduces the car’s net price. Investors watch this because it can meaningfully boost consumer demand, change sales forecasts and pricing power for automakers, and ripple through suppliers and dealers much like a timed discount that shifts where and how much people buy.

american automobile labeling act regulatory

"parts sourcing as determined by the American Automobile Labeling Act, U.S. factory"

The American Automobile Labeling Act is a U.S. law that requires new cars to carry a visible label showing the percentage of parts from the United States and Canada, the location of final assembly, and the country of origin for the engine and transmission, much like a nutrition label for a vehicle’s sourcing. Investors use this information to gauge a carmaker’s supply-chain exposure, potential tariff or currency risks, and how production choices might affect costs, brand perception, and regulatory compliance.

plug-in hybrids technical

"including electric vehicles, hybrids and plug-in hybrids. That decline is most evident"

A plug-in hybrid is a passenger vehicle that combines a conventional gasoline or diesel engine with a rechargeable battery-driven electric motor, and can be plugged into the electrical grid to recharge its battery. Think of it as a battery-powered tool with a small backup engine: it can run on electric power for short trips and switch to the engine for longer drives. Investors care because plug-in hybrids affect automakers’ sales mix, fuel and maintenance cost exposure, emissions compliance, battery and charging demand, and the competitive landscape among carmakers and suppliers.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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The Great American Melting Pot — 2026 list is 65% foreign automakers,
with the Detroit Three still holding about one-third of the Index

CHICAGO, June 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Car-shopping marketplace Cars.com™ (NYSE: CARS) today unveiled the vehicles on its 21st annual American-Made Index (AMI). More than a year after the announcement of tariffs, and ahead of America's 250th anniversary, this year's AMI list boasts 86 vehicles that made the cut.

As in previous years, Cars.com experts independently evaluated over 350 vehicles that contribute the most to the U.S. economy through manufacturing, parts sourcing and employment to generate the 2026 AMI list. Some vehicles maintained the status quo while others made their moves, securing higher rankings on this year's list. Notably, this year's top 10 have tied the highest average domestic parts content percentage since the AMI methodology changed to its current form in 2020.

For the sixth year in a row, Tesla claims the most American-made vehicle, with the Model 3 followed by the Model Y for a second consecutive year. Stellantis snags spots three and four with the Jeep Gladiator and Grand Cherokee while Honda sweeps half of the top 10 with the Ridgeline, Odyssey, Accord, Passport and Acura MDX. The automaker with the most vehicles on this year's list, Toyota, also boasts a top 10 placement with the Lexus TX.

"This year's list represents the ongoing evolution and diversification of American-made vehicles," said Patrick Masterson, lead researcher for Cars.com's American-Made Index. "Notably, nearly two-thirds of this year's list was produced by foreign automakers, about the same as in 2025, while the Detroit Three holds approximately one-third of the vehicles. Seeing so many foreign automakers on the list often surprises consumers, but this goes to show just how complex modern automotive manufacturing really is."

The top 20 vehicles are included below, and the complete list is available at Cars.com/american-made-index.

Cars.com 2026 American-Made Index Top 20 Vehicles
1. Tesla Model 3	11. Toyota Camry
2. Tesla Model Y	12. Lincoln Navigator, Navigator L
3. Jeep Gladiator	13. Ford Expedition, Expedition Max
4. Jeep Grand Cherokee, Grand Cherokee L	14. Lincoln Aviator
5. Honda Ridgeline	15. Ford Explorer
6. Honda Odyssey	16. Acura RDX
7. Lexus TX	17. Kia EV9
8. Honda Accord	18. Acura Integra
9. Acura MDX	19. Toyota Tundra
10. Honda Passport	20. Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

As AMI as Apple Pie

From the Ford Model T to the iconic Route 66, cars and everything that comes with them are quintessentially American. The 2026 index of vehicles that impact the American economy most is a timely check-in on the evolution of America's automotive engine and how car shoppers are approaching the current market. Consumers care about American jobs, according to a recent Cars.com consumer survey, which found that 57% of respondents said they are willing to pay more for a vehicle if it creates U.S. jobs, with 69% willing to spend 5% to 10% more for a vehicle to keep jobs in the U.S. Additionally, almost half say that tariffs are a concern while shopping for a new car, with 42% saying that tariffs have made them more likely to buy an American-made vehicle.¹

"American innovation has long helped drive the future of automotive forward," Masterson remarked. "Cars are a key part of Americana, from summer road trips to drive-ins, which is why highlighting the vehicles that continue to fuel the American auto industry is so critical to economic growth on U.S. soil. This index exists to help people better understand the complexities of the automotive industry and help those who want to make an impact with their purchase to know and understand what it actually means to be made in America."

The Founding Fathers of American-Made: The Detroit Three

The Detroit Three have long pumped the lifeblood, or rather the motor oil, into the U.S. auto industry. And amongst recently surveyed Americans, that idea still holds true: Overall, 87% of respondents think the Detroit Three automakers have at least some impact on the American economy. When asked among a selection of vehicles which they thought was built in the U.S., the overwhelming majority went to the Ford F-150, with 71% of consumers believing it to be American-made.¹ But the automakers contributing the most vehicles to the AMI might surprise many, with Toyota contributing a total of 14 and Honda 13. The founding fathers fall into line next — GM, Ford, then Stellantis with 13, nine and six, respectively. Notably, by state, Michigan still has the most AMI-ranked factories, but overall, half are in the South, 7% more than in the Midwest. Of the 46 U.S.-based auto plants, 25 are run by foreign-owned automakers and 21 by domestic-owned. 

Tariffs are shining a brighter spotlight on American-made vehicles, as it's been over a year since the original 2025 tariff mandates took effect. For car shoppers, tariffs enacted in 2025 have had ongoing impacts. They're finding fewer vehicles in automakers' lineups and increased prices for some vehicles. The 2026 American-Made Index was also impacted by tariffs as automakers adjusted their vehicle offerings for the 2026 model year, leading to fewer cars on this year's index — 86 in 2026, down from 99 in 2025.

Electrifying America

The share of electrified vehicles on the AMI has declined slightly, from 30% to 24%, including electric vehicles, hybrids and plug-in hybrids. That decline is most evident in the number of EVs on the list dropping by almost half, from 11 to five, which leads back to the sunsetting of the federal EV tax credit in the fall of 2025. Notably, the number of hybrids dropped by only one, and, percentage-wise, its share actually rose. This trend reflects the overall recalibration of automakers' electrified strategies, which is playing out right here in the states across many vehicles.

Methodology

Cars.com's American-Made Index ranks cars based on five factors: assembly location, parts sourcing as determined by the American Automobile Labeling Act, U.S. factory employment relative to vehicle production, engine sourcing, and transmission sourcing. For more information on the 2026 Cars.com American-Made Index, including a deeper dive into the data and methodology, visit Cars.com/AMI.

¹Cars.com consumer survey; April 29-May 4, 2026; ~1,000 respondents

ABOUT CARS.COM^®

Cars.com Inc. (NYSE:CARS) is a trusted audience-powered and data-driven technology platform that simplifies buying and selling cars. The flagship Cars.com marketplace connects millions of consumers to dealerships across the U.S., powering the car buying experience with artificial intelligence ("AI") shopping tools and comprehensive vehicle reviews and content. Our interconnected ecosystem of products enables dealers and OEMs to sell more cars by efficiently leveraging our marketplace, dealer websites, trade and appraisal tools, and proprietary in-market media solutions.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/carscom-announces-its-2026-most-american-made-vehicles-ahead-of-countrys-250th-302807491.html

SOURCE Cars.com Inc.

FAQ

What is the Cars.com (NYSE:CARS) 2026 American-Made Index and how is it determined?

The 2026 Cars.com American-Made Index ranks 86 vehicles that most impact the U.S. economy. According to Cars.com, rankings use five factors: assembly location, American Automobile Labeling Act parts data, U.S. factory employment relative to production, and engine and transmission sourcing.

Which vehicles top the Cars.com (CARS) 2026 Most American-Made list?

Tesla’s Model 3 ranks as the most American-made vehicle on the 2026 index. According to Cars.com, Model Y follows, then Jeep Gladiator, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Honda Ridgeline, Honda Odyssey, Lexus TX, Honda Accord, Acura MDX and Honda Passport in the top 10.

How did 2025 tariffs affect the 2026 Cars.com (CARS) American-Made Index?

Tariffs enacted in 2025 reduced the number of models qualifying for the 2026 American-Made Index. According to Cars.com, automakers adjusted lineups and prices, contributing to a drop from 99 ranked vehicles in 2025 to 86 in 2026 on the index.

What does the 2026 Cars.com American-Made Index show about foreign vs. domestic automakers?

The 2026 index shows foreign automakers supply about 65% of American-Made Index vehicles. According to Cars.com, Toyota contributes 14 models and Honda 13, while GM, Ford and Stellantis contribute 13, nine and six vehicles, reflecting a diversified U.S. manufacturing landscape.

How are EVs and hybrids represented in Cars.com’s 2026 American-Made Index?

Electrified vehicles make up 24% of the 2026 American-Made Index, down from 30% previously. According to Cars.com, EVs on the list fell from 11 to five after the federal EV tax credit sunset, while hybrid counts slipped only slightly and their share rose.

What do consumers say about buying American-made vehicles in the 2026 Cars.com (CARS) survey?

Many shoppers are willing to pay more for American-made models to support U.S. jobs. According to Cars.com, 57% would pay extra, 69% would spend 5%-10% more, and 42% say tariffs make them more likely to choose American-made vehicles.