All-American pickups aren’t all made in America
What brand comes to mind when you think of the All-American pickup truck? There are a few trucks that fall into this category. And owners are some of the fiercest loyal to their American brands.
Certain trends indicate that more and more consumers are turning away from their SUVs and sedans in favor of the trusted pickup truck. But before buying what you believe to be an All-American pickup truck, it’s essential to do your research. Even though these models and brands are considered all-American, that does not mean that they are all necessarily made in America.
What brands fall into the All-American Pickup category?
If asked which brands are considered All-American, you might name manufacturers like Ford, Chevy, GMC, or Ram as the most All-American pickup trucks. These badges certainly represent companies based in the United States. But there is a little more to defining American than that. Cars recently shared its American-made index for 2022, based on vehicle models with production sites in the United States. It might surprise you that the pickups on this list, ranked higher for units made in the United States and sold, include Toyota, Nissan, and Honda.
As The reader points out, the big three American truck manufacturers can be considered All-American. Ford F-Series models are all produced in the United States. But General Motors and Ram are “heavily dependent” on Mexico-based production plants. The Drive investigated where the Big Three get their parts and supplies. Those details were a little fuzzy.
They are not entirely made in the USA
Some data regarding automaker component outsourcing can be found through NHTSA, based on the law requiring new models of light-duty and passenger trucks to display percentage labels describing the origin of each vehicle’s components. You also won’t find a stock pickup with more than 75% US components. VanTalk further describes the Car Indexing Report and All-American Brand Ranking.
The confidence is that most automakers outsource much of their parts and labor through national lines. They must remain price competitive. Most automakers have expanded into global markets, including Ford, General Motors, and Ram. With a broader buyer landscape and more cost-effective methods of sourcing from other countries, parts and materials for transmissions, pickup truck bodies, and engines often come from other countries.
Some of the current offers you might consider buying
How your favorite vans are put together might not be of great importance. Knowing that you are buying an All-American badge may be enough. But while where your truck is assembled matters, know that the location of production and material sourcing won’t always be on US soil. The 2021 Honda Ridgeline, built in Alabama, is 70% American-made red-blooded, the most representative of the United States of all pickups.
For example, you might think the Ford F-150 is an all-American pickup truck. And these trucks are built in America. But depending on the origin of the components and the places of production, the Toyota Tundra has more American stamps. In fact, the Toyota Tundra is 65% American, based on parts and assembly in San Antonio, Texas.
Those who believe Ram Heavy-Duty trucks are all-American pickups know that Stellantis produces these models at its plant in Saltillo, Mexico. Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks are also produced south of the border, with GM’s plant in Silao, Mexico. Alternatively, the Honda Ridgeline and Nissan Titan are assembled here in the United States
So, now that you know the latest assembly and production data, do you still consider the same brands to be All-American pickups? With the global economy blurring business lines and becoming more connected, it’s probably best to assume that no vehicle you buy today is made entirely in America. And what probably makes a truck All-American, in the heart of the consumer, is the American personality that permeates every new pickup truck owner.
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