How many car brands can you name that are American? While the U.S. has long been the leader in producing cars and motorcycles, there are many companies that only produce vehicles overseas.
The Big Three (Ford, Chevrolet, and Dodge) used to dominate the American car brands list, but their reign has long since ended with Cadillac taking the top spot.
What are some of the most popular American car brands on the market today? Read on to learn more about the top all American car brands of all time.
All American Car Brands List
American luxury car brands list Cadillac, Ford, Chevrolet, Lincoln, and Dodge. American-manufactured cars list Ferrari, Porsche, and Maserati.
American-made car brands’ logos and names Cadillac’s logo is a crest with flags on either side representing leadership through strength.
The wreath above it represents triumph or success while below it lies a shield depicting military defense and authority.
Ford has stuck to its signature blue oval since 1908 when Henry Ford bought his first Model A.
The company claims its colors symbolize loyalty, strength, and respect for the employees who work for them over an extended period of time.
Ford
Henry Ford is arguably one of America’s most important inventors and industrialists. His Model T automobile was mass-produced and affordable to many Americans, propelling automotive technology and creating a mass market for cars.
In addition to founding the Ford Motor Company, he also founded The Edison Illuminating Company, which later became known as General Electric.
Perhaps one day he’ll be considered more than just a car maker; today it’s clear that his company has had more impact on American life than any other car brand.
Chevy
Chevrolet is a brand that’s been around since 1911. General Motors created Chevrolet and its first vehicle was called the coke wagon because it was used to promote Coca-Cola.
Chevy has come a long way since then and there are many great vehicles on today’s market with a Chevy badge on them.
Currently, Chevy offers nine different car models that consumers can choose from. A few examples include their Camaro, Malibu, Impala, and Tahoe.
If you’re shopping for an American car brand then you’ll have to consider GM’s Chevrolet brand very seriously as it’s one of the most recognized car brands in the country today.
Chrysler
Founded in 1925, Chrysler remains one of America’s largest automakers. The company has sold vehicles under many names, including Dodge, Plymouth, and Eagle.
Today, it produces vehicles under just two brand names: Jeep and Dodge. In 2015, Fiat acquired a controlling interest in Chrysler and it is now known as FCA US LLC.
The company’s current president is Sergio Marchionne and its headquarters are located in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
It has plants across North America with major assembly lines in Illinois (the Chicago area), Indiana (the Detroit area), and Ontario (the Windsor area).
Chrysler sells an array of brands globally with sales markets concentrated primarily in North America (Canada and United States), South America (Argentina, Brazil), and Europe (mainly Italy).
Dodge
This Detroit-based company has been around since 1914, first as a car brand and later as a truck and sports car manufacturer.
In addition to its current lineup, Dodge is also known for producing iconic vehicles like the Charger and Challenger muscle cars.
More recently, Dodge reintroduced an American muscle car classic with its new Challenger SRT Hellcat.
The meat and potatoes of Dodge’s lineup include minivans (Durango), sedans (Challenger, Dart), SUVs (Grand Caravan), and trucks (Ram).
Buick
For much of its history, Buick played second fiddle to Ford and Chevrolet. It wasn’t until after World War II that Buick emerged as a legitimate competitor to other American car brands.
With James Nance at the helm from 1949 to 1954, Buick started churning out stylish cars like coupe utility and Riviera—models that were frequently named among America’s top cars for 15 consecutive years.
Today, Buick is still going strong. In fact, it was one of only four American car brands (along with Cadillac, Lincoln, and Cadillac) that managed to survive 2009 without declaring bankruptcy or going into receivership.
Cadillac
The First American Luxury Car Brand? Most people associate Cadillac with luxury cars, so it’s no surprise that Cadillac is considered America’s first luxury car brand.
Founded in 1902 by Henry Leland, Cadillac remains an iconic automobile today. In its first year, Cadillac sold 425 vehicles; however, its sales numbers were small compared to industry-leading Ford and Oldsmobile.
By 1914, nearly 30% of all Cadillacs produced were bought by women drivers. Today, there are five different models that can be purchased: CTS Sedan, ATS Coupe, Sedan Models, and XTS Sedan and Wagon Models.
Pontiac
Originally started as a carriage company, Pontiac began manufacturing cars in 1926. In 2001, General Motors discontinued production on Pontiac, but it came back to life in 2010 when GM allowed its brand rights to lapse.
Although sales have declined since its re-launch, with only 61,562 units sold in 2011, it’s still among America’s most popular domestic car brands.
It also has some unique offerings like G8 and Solstice roadsters and Torrent SUV models that make it worth keeping an eye on (and maybe investing in) for future success.
No matter what happens with Pontiac going forward, we’ll always remember their successful GTO muscle car from 1966 to 2002 and G6 convertible from 2005-2010. We think you should too!
Jeep
In many ways, Jeep is synonymous with American car culture. The brand has a long history in America and its vehicles have been used by everyone from World War II soldiers to hunters in 2014.
On top of that, Jeep helped make sport utility vehicles (SUVs) popular when it introduced its first SUV in 1963.
Today, SUVs are a staple in American car culture and Jeep is undoubtedly one of America’s most iconic brands.
Lincoln
The most iconic American car brand by far is Lincoln. If you’re looking for an upscale, refined auto experience, a Lincoln vehicle should be your first stop on your search for an American car brand list.
In addition to building a reputation for luxury and sophistication, Ford built their brand around advertising icons like John Wayne and Clark Gable in their automobile commercials.
The combined storied legacy behind Ford and Lincoln brand cars makes them unmatched among other top American car brands of all time.
For anyone looking to invest in high-quality vehicles with eye-catching design elements and beautiful interiors, selecting one of their various luxurious models is your best bet at finding value and style while driving one of America’s top-of-the-line auto manufacturers.
Mercury
The most popular Mercury cars were likely those from its Cougar line, which was available in multiple generations and body styles between 1967 and 2002.
Just like their Ford counterparts, these vehicles offered a sporty driving experience for less than $30,000.
The entry-level Sable model remains popular among American car collectors today. Other notable Mercury vehicles include its Montego sedan (1975 to 1999) and Mountaineer SUV (1997 to 2010).
GMC
The first American car brand on our list is GMC. Groupe Mutuelles de Compensation, commonly called GMC, manufactures vehicles in four categories: light trucks, large trucks, commercial vans, and passenger cars.
GMC was founded by Durant and Harvey Firestone in 1908 as a holding company for Buick.
In 1909 Buick was sold to General Motors Corporation along with Oldsmobile, Cadillac, and Oakland (the oldest surviving American car brand) brands. The name GMC originally stood for General Motors Company but changed to its current meaning by 1926.
GMC’s most popular car models include Sierra 1500, Yukon XL, and Acadia—all big sellers at US auctions!
RAM
The RAM brand, which stands for Ride Active Motion, is one of several car brands owned by Daimler.
The company’s vehicles range from pickup trucks to luxury sedans and are sold in over 50 countries around the world.
RAM also includes vehicle sub-brands such as Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler. Today, most RAM vehicles are manufactured in various facilities throughout North America and Brazil, with a few being built in India as well.
Regardless of where they’re made, all RAM vehicles are designed to meet or exceed strict U.S., European, and Latin American safety standards.
Tesla
Only an American car company founded in Silicon Valley, Tesla makes luxurious electric cars, such as its Model S. It’s said to be going plaid since it’s worth more than Ford.
With a potential valuation of $42 billion, it is still about half as valuable as BMW but not far behind Mercedes-Benz and Audi.
Its major investors include Google and Panasonic, which could explain why it’s arguably among America’s most innovative automakers.
The Tesla brand is strong in California, but with plans to sell its cars nationwide (including in Indiana and Ohio), Tesla could be on its way toward becoming a national brand — and possibly even an international one if/when it expands into Europe or Asia.
Car Makes List Of America: Non-Active
AMC, American Cyclecar Company, American Iron Horse, American Motor Corporation.
Active: Acura, Alfa Romeo USA (Chrysler), Ariel (McLaren Automotive), Auburn, AutoAlliance Thailand (Mitsubishi), Autobianchi, Barreiros Diesel ( defunct in Portugal but still active in other countries).
Cadillac: The most famous and oldest brand of American cars. It is well known for its luxury cars.
Chevrolet: One of America’s most popular brands.
Chrysler: A very large company with a large variety of cars on offer including one which they do not sell to private individuals – their limousines!
Biddle Motor Car Company
Not all of these car brands are from America, but they’re all built by American companies (which is what we’re going for here). Biddle Motor Car Company was an automaker that existed between 1901 and 1923 in Connersville, Indiana.
It was best known as a manufacturer of high-end automobiles in its early years, though it later branched out into commercial trucks.
From 1903 to 1916 it also produced cycles, and then again from 1919 to 1923 with its name changed to Biddle Corporation Cycle Co.
Apperson
A company that has been making horse-drawn carriages since 1887, Apperson is one of America’s longest-running auto companies. In 1901, it introduced its first gasoline-powered vehicle, a runabout for two passengers with an air-cooled single-cylinder engine.
Apperson also built a few four and six-cylinder cars in 1904 and 1905; sadly, they never reached mass production or popularity. It disappeared by 1910 after suffering huge financial losses.
Today’s collectors know it best for its beach buggy: a lightweight topless roadster designed to be hauled down to Cape Cod on holiday weekends and into retirement homes everywhere else.
Austin Cars Company
In 1962, The Austin Motor Company merged with Morris Motors Limited to form British Motor Corporation (BMC). In 1963, BMC merged with Jaguar Cars to become British Motor Holdings. A few months later, BMH merged with Leyland Motors to form British Leyland.
Around that time, MG and Rover were also brought under control by BL. Another major car manufacturer controlled by BL was Standard-Triumph which produced Triumph cars among others.
In 1968, all production activities were consolidated under a single subsidiary called British Leyland Motor Corporation (BLMC) but bad management led to bankruptcy in 1975 forcing a massive government bailout which left it under state control till 1982 when management was finally taken over by private interests and its name changed to simply BL Ltd.
Baker Motor Vehicles
The first car made by Baker Motor Vehicles in 1932 was unlike any other—it had four wheels, four doors, and a steering wheel. It also had something no car had before: an electric starter motor.
The vehicle’s high price tag meant that only one was ever built, but it proved that Henry Ford wasn’t always right.
In fact, sometimes he just didn’t get it. The inability to accept electric cars as a viable option nearly destroyed American car culture and transportation as we know it today. So thank you, Baker Motor Vehicles! You’re a real hero in our book (and on our list).
American Car Companies: Other Active Auto Manufacturers
A2A Technologies LLC, ARO, ATV USA Corporation, GreenFuel Technologies Inc., HCR Hydraulic Research Inc., IAV Automotive Engineering, Inc., International Multifamily Housing Association (IMHA), JRE Industries LLC, Mavizen Automotive Limited, MotivePower (AMTOS), NEVS Electric Vehicles Sweden AB (NEVS) American manufacturers had a combined production total of 3.4 million vehicles in 2014 with over 26 million in sales.
In terms of employment numbers, those same manufacturers employed over 700 thousand people.
A few car brands dominate most categories from sports cars to luxury sedans and full-size trucks. The top 23 brands come from 7 different states but Michigan has 5 different companies on that list.
DeLorean
The stainless steel DeLorean is one of America’s most iconic cars, thanks in part to its appearance in Back to The Future and other timeless movies.
The futuristic car still boasts a cult following but was once produced in high numbers at its factory in Northern Ireland.
But not enough people bought it, leading to production ceasing after only two years of sale. Despite all that, and even though only 9,000 were ever built (most are now gone), it is estimated that there are still around 1 million parts out there waiting for an owner.
Spare part prices remain high because they’re very hard to get hold of – especially as many used ones have been cannibalized.
Zimmer
From luxury to race cars, American car brands list American car companies list, In today’s world, it can be hard to find a vehicle that checks all of your boxes. For some, that means going abroad for their next car purchase.
But those who want an American-made vehicle have plenty to choose from. The success and storied history behind America’s iconic cars would make even US presidents jealous.
With true grit and determination – not only in war times but also in economic struggle times – these companies made a name for themselves with top-notch cars as far back as 1908.
Each has brought home accolades from auto shows and set speed records on racetracks around the globe – so check out our top 23!
AM General
The most popular American car brand, AM General (formerly American Motors), is known for its Jeeps.
Since production began in 1941, Americans have loved the classic Jeep look and rugged construction, helping to establish AM General as one of America’s best-known brands.
Today, some Jeep models include iconic Wrangler and Cherokee vehicles. The company also sells non-Jeep models under its own name including a variety of military vehicles.
Panoz LLC
The Panoz LLC was founded in 1989 by Dan Panoz and is a race car constructor, formerly known as Panoz Motor Sports Group.
The company’s first product was a street-legal sports car called Esperante GTR-1 which is considered one of America’s best sports cars.
The Panoz Motor Sports Group also made GT racing cars including Panoz AIV Roadster, Panoz Abruzzi, and Spyder TMG, besides having produced only one road-legal supercar named Chukker.
The GT racing car line ended in 2004 with Roock Racing Technology acquiring all assets from Thomas Knapp.
AC Propulsion
Though Tesla may have made waves recently with its fully electric Model S, AC Propulsion paved much of that road for them.
Since 1994, when it built a working drivetrain for General Motors’ EV1, AC Propulsion has been a leader in battery-powered vehicles and continues to develop new technology.
It’s also one of only four manufacturers that build zero-emission highway-capable EVs (the others are Tesla, Coda Automotive, and Fisker Automotive).
However, unlike Tesla or Fisker which recently became mainstream successes, AC Propulsion remains an underdog.
Perhaps its low profile is due to its focus on military contracts rather than production models—but we think it’s worth remembering.
Polaris
The Michigan-based manufacturer can thank snowmobiles for their place on our list. It was founded in 1937 by Edwin Link, an engineer who patented a three-wheel design after failing to secure financing for his original snowmobile concept.
The first Polaris rolled off an assembly line in 1959.
Today, Polaris is one of four remaining American snowmobile manufacturers—the others are Arctic Cat, Bombardier Recreational Products, and Yamaha.
Although it’s not based in Detroit proper, it makes its sleds at a plant located just outside city limits and operates a second factory in Osceola County, which is currently building new ATVs and UTVs.
Summary: All American Car Brands
This list presents a selection of American-made car brands, including detailed information on each one. A lot of people are excited about owning a new car, but more and more people are looking for American cars to buy.
There are many different American car brands out there, which makes it hard to choose just one; however, by doing some research and reading reviews you can easily decide which brand is right for you.
Each American car brand has its own strengths and weaknesses; I encourage you to read each review carefully before deciding on what make and model is best for your lifestyle.
Related:
Asian Car Brands
British Car Brands
European Car Brands
French Car Brands
Italian Car Brands
Russian Car Brands
Swedish Car Brands