Tesla's Model 3 is the most American electric car you can buy
- The Tesla Model 3 is the most American electric car you can buy, according to a new study.
- American University released its 2021 Made in America Auto Index on Wednesday.
The most American electric car you can buy isn't a Ford or a Chevy. It's a Tesla.
That's according to the 2021 Made in America Auto Index released by American University's Kogod School of Business on Wednesday.
The index, now in its ninth year, ranks models on sale in the US based on how much of their labor, parts, manufacturing, and research and development come from domestic sources. Vehicles also score points if their company is based in the US and if profits land in the US.
The Tesla Model 3 came in third in this year's ranking, with 65% of its parts coming from the US or Canada. It earned an overall score of 82.5. The electric-vehicle maker builds its US-market models at a plant in Fremont, California. It's working to open up another US factory in Austin, Texas.
The Model 3 was only beat about by the Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray and Ford Mustang GT, which topped the list. Last year's winner, the Ford Ranger pickup, dropped to 16th place after its US/Canadian content was reduced from 70% to 45%.
Tesla's Model S sedan and Model Y SUV tied for fifth place, while the Model X SUV took eighth, tying with the Ford F-150. The next most American EV is the Chevrolet Bolt, which comes in 55th place. Ford's Mustang Mach-E SUV took the 75th spot, with 15% US/Canadian content and an overall score of 19.5. It's assembled in Mexico.