In its annual list of the most American-made cars (Ford Motor Co.'s Lincoln Corsair took the top spot with 72 percent U.S. and Canadian content) the Kogod School of Business at American University also noted a trend in supply chains: International automakers have been boosting their percentage of U.S. content in recent years, while U.S.-based car makers have decreased theirs.
Since 2015, Volkswagen, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Hyundai and Kia have all increased their U.S. content. GM, Ford and Chrysler owner Stellantis have reduced their U.S. content — but all of the "Big Three" carmakers top 60 percent for U.S. content, while only Honda tops 50 percent for American-made supply base out of foreign-based carmakers.
"This reveals an increasing focus from foreign manufacturers on increasing their U.S. manufacturing footprint," the Kogod report states, adding that NAFTA trade rules had led U.S.-based carmakers to invest in suppliers and production in Mexico in the past.
Honda now sources 57 percent of its U.S. vehicles from U.S. sources, up from 50 percent in 2015. Toyota sources 32.5 percent from the U.S., up from 27.5; Nissan is at 28 percent, up from 22 percent; Hyundai and Kia were at 25.7 percent, up from 17.5 percent; and Volkswagen was at 11.4 percent, up from 8.2 percent.