Toyotas Are the “Most American” Cars You Can Buy

According to the Cars.com American-Made Index, the car-buying website’s annual list of the 10 vehicles that contain greater than 75 percent domestically-sourced parts, are built in U.S. assembly plants, and sell in the greatest numbers, the most American car you can buy today is the 2012 Toyota Camry. Built in Kentucky and Indiana, the Camry also topped the list last year.

What’s that you say? You want the car with the greatest number of U.S.-made parts that is built in America? Why, that would be the roomy 2012 Toyota Avalon, which hails from Georgetown, Kentucky.

Sure, we understand. You’re a parent, you live someplace where it snows, and you need three-rows of seats combined with all-wheel drive. The 2012 Toyota Sienna is tops, according to Cars.com. Where’s it built? Princeton, Indiana.

Oh, you need something for hauling and towing. Well, nothing beats the Ford F-150 when it comes to pickup trucks, which rejoins the American-Made Index for 2012, and in a big way. This Michigan- and Missouri-made truck slots in right behind the Camry, just missing “Most American” laurels. The Texas-built 2012 Toyota Tundra, however, isn’t far behind.

HONDA MAKES POPULAR AMERICAN CARS, TOO

2012 Honda Pilot Touring

Toyota isn’t alone on the list of Japan-based automakers cranking out American-made cars and SUVs. The Honda Accord, assembled in Marysville, Ohio, slips a notch into 3rd place this year, and the Honda Pilot, sourced out of Lincoln, Alabama, slides into the 5th slot among the top 10 vehicles. Remove sales volume from the equation, and based solely on parts content and factory location, the Ohio-built Honda Crosstour has the second-highest percentage of domestic parts in a tie with the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator.

Confused? Get all the details straight from Cars.com. There is one thing you should know, though. In the ever-popular three-row crossover SUV category, the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia are the most American models. They’re made in Lansing, Michigan. They contain 76 percent domestic parts content. And they sell in large enough numbers to land in the Cars.com top 10.

SPEEDY DADDY SAYS…

2012 GMC Acadia SLT

As we’ve stated in an earlier Buy American opinion column, we think consumers ought to buy American cars, trucks, and SUVs as often as possible to help reduce unemployment rates and insure a strong economy. However, the definition of an “American” car is different than it was decades ago.

Clearly, the badge doesn’t matter nearly as much as where the parts come from and where the vehicle is built, because those parts suppliers and assembly lines are employing thousands of Americans. Furthermore, companies like Toyota and Honda operate research, design, engineering, and business facilities in the U.S., providing thousands more Americans with employment.

Does it matter if, in the grand scheme of things, a few dollars of profit ultimately flow into a headquarters building in Japan? We think not.

– Christian Wardlaw

2012 Toyota Camry SE and 2012 Honda Pilot Touring Photos Copyright 2012 Speedy Daddy Media, Inc.