2014 Toyota Tundra rated more American than Chevy Silverado, Ram 1500, and GMC Sierra
The Texas-built Toyota Tundra was ranked more American than both the Chevy Silverado and Dodge Ram in a recent update to the Kogod Made In America Auto Index. The index is the work of the Kogod School of Business at American University in Washington D.C. We like this list because unlike some vehicle content lists, such as The American Automotive Labeling Act (AALA), it recognizes that Canada is not part of the United States.
Many shoppers like to buy American, and it would be hard to ignore the Tundra’s score of 78.5 on the Kogod list when considering American-made pickups. The Chevy Silverado and its twin the GMC Sierra both score a respectable 70 on the list. The Fiat-Chrysler made Ram 1500 scores a 63, which is well below a lot of vehicles assembled outside the US, like the Canadian built Chevy Camaro. The Ram also did a little bit better on the test this year than it will going forward because at the time of the ranking it was 41% owned by the UAW Pension Fund. The union folks didn't like owning part of the company they work for because it makes strikes confusing. (give us a huge raise - you own the company). Now Italy-based Fiat owns their share. The company that Fiat invented to own the Ram brand is explained this way by Kogod. “The new entity Fiat Chrysler Automotive (FCA) is to be headquartered in the Netherlands with a tax domicile in London, and shares listed in New York.” Because of that it will have a slight disadvantage on future lists. Presently, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom are not part of the US. Nor is Italy for that matter.
Shoppers for whom buying American is the primary motivator will love the Ford F-150. It is the number one most American made vehicle according to the folks at Kogood with a score of 87.5, and we should note, the best-selling vehicle in America.
Like all stories we print about American-ness of vehicles that don’t sound American to some ears many readers will discount this story as crazy or misleading. However, to those who like to buy pickup trucks that are built in Texas by Texans, from mostly American made parts, maybe this article will bring a slight smile.
For More Information:
Direct Link to the study
Report on the Ford F-Series being ranked number one
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