Kogod Made in America Auto Index Reveals Surprising Finds

Charleston, SC, April 25, 2013 --(PR.com)-- In recent years, the trend for many American consumers has been to buy American. To help consumers figure out which vehicles are more American, Associate Professor at American University’s Kogod School of Business, Frank DuBois, has created a new auto index. The top three brands for this year’s “Made in America” list are GM, Chrysler and Ford. Many of these American models can be found at Mama’s Used Cars (mamasusedcars.com).

The Kogod Made in America Auto Index is based on 253 cars, trucks and SUV’s for sale in the U.S. The factors used in the index are: profit margin (where the headquarters are located); labor (where the car is assembled); R&D; inventory, capital and other expense (location of assembly); engine and transmission (location of production); body, interior, chassis, electrical and other (location of production); and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration AALA “Domestic Content” Score.

First place was actually a three way tie with three GM models, the GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave and Chevy Traverse. Second place had two winners, the Ford F-Series and the Dodge Avenger. The first foreign manufactured vehicle to make the list came in 10th, the Toyota Avalon. It beat out other notable American brands and foreign ones like Honda.

So, what does this mean for car buyers? According to DuBois, it means no automotive manufacturing company is 100 percent American made and many foreign manufacturers aren’t 100 percent foreign either. The lines between country origin and car manufacturing have been blurred for many years now.

If customers are looking for the most American car they can find, a GM model would be their best bet; if it really doesn’t matter, then any of them are up for grabs. Either way, Mama’s Used Cars has a wide selection of American made and non-American made models; so, customers can stop by for a test drive anytime.