The 4th of July Independence Day holiday is here in the US, and to celebrate we wanted to find out from our audience: what does it mean for a car to be "American?” With a global car market and vehicle parts being made all over the world, it can be difficult to define. We also polled our audience to select what they think is the most American car ever manufactured. We share the responses, and our expert opinions on this star-spangled episode!
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SHOW NOTES
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00:00 – Introduction
00:14 – What defines an American Car?
16:32 – What Is the Most American Car?
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How the Tesla Model S Changed the World
Best New-Car Deals for July 4th
Guide to Car Safety
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Wow. The American auto industry existed well before the turn of the 20th century, and long before anyone had ever heard of Henry Ford. You should really consider researching what you’re going to assert as historical fact.
A lot of people had heard of Henry ford before the 20th century. His family and friends for example.
Has to be Tesla. Funny how our president can’t recognize the wonderful American company and it’s blockbuster success.
Local manufacturing means local jobs.
Crown Victoria. Hands down, the most American car for many reasons. For me it is that it is such an integral part of municipal fleets. Every town had Crown Victorias.
Most Teslas will now be made in China and even the US assembled ones contain a lot of Chinese parts and growing (the recent US Tesla slowdown was due to critical parts being stuck in China).
Tesla has 4 out of the top 6 spots in American made cars for content and made in USA. Model Y #1 & Model 3 #2
@Brian Z for 2021 Tesla is somewhere around 25th place with 65% for Model3. Model S & Y are well below with 60% & Model is X is 55% on American made index.
@Brian Z Why is it that images of Model 3 Monroney stickers I find online say they have only 50% US/Canadian parts content?
Glad to see Jen on here again. Would love to see you all together again in the studio or wherever you film.
You should do another show on “Made in the USA”
Major Fail!!!! Failed to mention Tesla has 4 out of the top 6 cars in a recent publication for autos being made in the USA for parts content and manufacture. Model Y number 1, Model 3 number 2 & X and S #5 and 6!!! Have some morals and transparency when you have Ford as contributors and on boards. And I’m not even a Tesla owner or fan. Just keep it real. I buy Lexus made in Japan vehicles only.
What a fun episode of:Talking Cars. I loved my 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme w/403 cubic inch engine but it’s four barrel carburetor combined with the weight of the vehicle was a disaster for miles per gallon.
When I think of an iconic American car there are several that come to mind. The original Ford Taurus, Ford Mustang, Chevy Corvette, in the original Chrysler Minivans.
Yes Jen!!!
Tesla every category you has beens
It wouldn’t be a current model except maybe Tesla.
Nothing really against Tesla but they are a small niche maker of a couple sedans/hatchbacks, and also has global parts suppliers. Camry and Accord have been made in the US for a long time. Subaru’s in Indiana, Nissan Leaf in Tenn. etc. And as mentioned, many other suppliers are pulled to those areas. But it’s a global market for almost all industries these days if the companies want to survive.
I prefer my cars to be made in Japan. Hard pass on the fake “patriotic” virtue signaling.
Yeah, tried a couple “American” brands over the decades with predictable problems and had to stay with only Japanese brands. Next will likely be Hyundai or Kia, and I’m waiting for the China EVs for the lower cost. They’ll take over just like Japan took the marketshare from Detroit back in the day.
@19:54 Please correct me if I’m wrong. Ford did not sell 720K F150s in 2021. If I’m not mistaken Ford sold 726,003 F series trucks by DEC 2021. For 2021 by content percentage with 70% Honda Pilot, Odyssey, Passport, Ridgeline are more American than 55% F150 imo. Honda only behind Jeep Cherokee with 71%, Chevy Corvette with 72% and Ford Mustang GT with 77%. @23:46 I don’t think Wrangler is most American with 60%, if I’m not mistaken per the window sticker on 2021 Wrangler Rubicon 3.6 Engine from Mexico.
Don’t wish “Happy Fourth of July” to the British. I think the British refer to it as “Traitor Day”. The rest of the world refers to it as “4 July” in whatever language they use.
Stutz Bearcat
Dad jokes are the best 😂