Where Are American Cars Made?

The American automotive industry has been a cornerstone of the nation’s economic and cultural landscape since the early 20th century when pioneers like Henry Ford revolutionized manufacturing with the introduction of the assembly line. This innovation not only transformed the production of automobiles but also laid the foundation for the United States to become a global leader in all things automotive.

From the assembly lines of Detroit to innovative electric vehicle production facilities in California, American cars are made and put together in many locations across the United States, contributing in so many ways to the communities in which they’re based. Let’s find out more about these key destinations where American cars are made, including some facilities that the public can tour.

Michigan

America’s car industry, as we know, got its start in Dearborn, Michigan. Home to Ford's headquarters and primary assembly plant, this Great Lakes city next to Detroit is a vital operations center for the country’s second (and the world’s sixth) biggest car maker. The Ford Rouge Complex is especially noteworthy and offers visitors a chance to see the company’s best-selling F-150 pickup being assembled. Also, in Dearborn, the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation provides a look into American manufacturing, including the evolution of automotive technology.

Next door in Detroit, "Motor City" is home to the headquarters of General Motors, the country’s largest car maker, along with several assembly plants. More can be learned about the city's automotive history and its connection to GM at the Detroit Historical Museum, while the company’s GM Renaissance Center (GMRenCen) is a commercial and entertainment hub on the Detroit Riverfront. Ford’s presence in Detroit is the focus of the historic Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, where the company’s famous Model T was developed.

America’s number three car maker, Chrysler, also has a significant presence in Michigan. Sterling Heights, to the north of Detroit’s downtown, is home to Chrysler's Ram 1500 production line, while its nearby Warren facility is crucial for producing various Dodge and Ram models.

Illinois

The Ford Chicago Assembly Plant produces the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator, two of the company’s larger SUVs. Operating since 1924, the plant benefitted from Chicago’s long tradition of industrial and technological know-how. This can be explored further at top Chicago attractions like the Museum of Science and Industry. In addition to providing fascinating insights into technological advancements, including those in the automotive sector, the building’s remarkable design and setting on Lake Michigan make it a great place to visit.

Chrysler also has a presence in Illinois. Over in Belvidere, a small town about 75 miles northwest of Chicago, Jeep Cherokee production is a mainstay of the local economy.

Missouri

Kansas City is Missouri’s auto manufacturing center. It’s here in the Ford Kansas City Assembly Plant that even more production of the Ford F-150 takes place (it is, after all, the country’s top-selling vehicle, with 750,000 being sold per year). The company’s Transit commercial vans have also been built here.

While tours of this plant in Kansas City’s Claycomo neighborhood aren’t available, some area attractions do touch on the industry's significance to the region. These include the Kansas City Automotive Museum with its classic car collection and displays and the fantastic National World War I Museum, the largest attraction of its kind in the country, which also has a few locally manufactured weapons and vehicles in its collection.

Kentucky

Ford's Louisville Assembly Plant is located to the south of Kentucky’s largest city, next door to its international airport. Here, the company’s Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair models are assembled and shipped to dealers across the country (the plant is also conveniently located adjacent to the I-65 highway).

Over a hundred miles south of Louisville, the lovely small town of Bowling Green, KY, is famous as the home of the iconic Chevrolet Corvette. Here at Bowling Green's Corvette Assembly Plant, fans of America’s most renowned sportscar can embark on the industry’s most sought-after tour and get an up-close look at the assembly process of this iconic sports car. Another must-do here for car fans is paying a visit to the adjacent National Corvette Museum with its collection of over 70 vehicles, including an original model from 1958

Texas

Texas is certainly no slouch when it comes to car manufacturing, either. Home to General Motors' Arlington Assembly Plant, it’s here mid-way between Fort Worth and Dallas that GM’s full-size SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and the super luxury Cadillac Escalade are built. Over in Austin, the brand new Tesla Giga Texas plant produces Elon Musk’s much-lauded Model Y vehicles, while in San Antonio, Japanese manufacturer Toyota is worthy of a mention for its “made in America” Japanese trucks like the Tundra and Tacoma.

Ohio

The Ohio city of Toledo is where Chrysler’s Jeep brand manufactures the iconic Jeep Wrangler as well as the niche Jeep Gladiator pickup truck (or “pickup Jeep”). Chrysler’s historic Toledo Complex, in fact, dates all the way back to 1910, and it was here that the company’s famous WW2 Willys Jeep was made. For a truly memorable experience, try to time a visit to coincide with the extremely popular Toledo Jeep Fest. Held the first weekend of August, this much-anticipated event draws Jeep enthusiasts from around the world to celebrate the legacy of one of America’s best-known automotive brands.

While not an American brand, Honda's Marysville Auto Plant is one of the Japanese car company's major US facilities. Opened in 1982 and associated with the making of the brand’s Accord models, it’s considered one of the country’s most flexible car plants in terms of the relative speed with which assembly lines can transition when production changes.

The Best of the Rest

Over in Fremont, California, Tesla opened its primary assembly plant in 2010 after taking over a facility that had previously been owned by GM. Now the manufacturing base of Tesla’s Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y vehicles, this Silicon Valley plant offers factory tours to Tesla owners, providing a unique glimpse into the electric vehicle production process.

Tesla's Gigafactory Nevada in Sparks produces battery packs and electric motors for the country’s best-known electric car manufacturer. Although tours are not generally available, the nearby city of Reno is home to the National Automobile Museum with its sizable collection of classic cars and interesting displays. Also worth a mention is Spring Hill in Tennessee, where GM builds some of its most iconic Cadillac vehicles, including the XT5 and XT6, as well as the GMC Acadia.

The Final Word

As a nation responsible for building around 15 percent of all cars manufactured worldwide (around 11 million out of a total of 90 million), it’s little wonder that America’s car industry continues to have a huge impact on the country locally, regionally, and nationally. Spread around the country, major car manufacturing plants can be found everywhere, from the historic industrial hubs of Detroit and Dearborn to more recent centers of innovation like Fremont. As we learn more about where American cars are made, it’s easy to see how the country has managed to maintain its position as a world leader in the automotive industry.