Toyota Tundra More American Than Silverado AND Ram
Jason Lancaster | Jul 28, 2008 | Comments 19
Twice a year, Cars.com creates a list of the “Ten Most American Cars.” Last year, we talked about how the Tundra was more American than the Dodge Ram. This year, we can talk about the fact that the Tundra is more American than both the Dodge Ram AND the Chevy Silverado.
The Ram and Silverado are more than 25% percent made in Mexico, making them less American than the Toyota Tundra according to Cars.com.
Cars.com calculates which vehicles are “most American” based on production location, percentage of domestic parts content, and American sales volume for each vehicle.
Evidently, Chevrolet had to increase truck production in Mexico due to a strike at one of their U.S. axle plants. Because the strike lasted so long, Chevrolet’s production mix shifted dramatically outside the U.S. Last year, the Silverado was the 2nd most American truck. This year, it’s fallen behind the Tundra.
Here’s the list (courtesy of Cars.com):
- Ford F150
- Chevy Cobalt
- Chevy Malibu
- Pontiac G6
- Toyota Tundra
- Toyota Sienna
- Honda Odyssey
- Chevy Silverado 1500
- Chrysler Sebring
- Ford Explorer/Sport Trac
So, to all you Chevy and Dodge truck owners talking smack about the “foreign-made” Tundra, we would like to state the following:
1. The Tundra is just as “American” as any Chevy or Dodge truck, based on where it’s made and the percentage of parts made in the U.S. Stop claiming otherwise because you’re wrong.
2. Dodge and Chevy manufacture more of the parts on their vehicles in Mexico than in any other country. Mexican autoworkers are not sending checks to their US counterparts (last time we checked), so you’re hurting the American autoworker by not driving a Tundra.
3. If you drive a Dodge or Chevy, please tape a “Made in Mexico” sticker to at least 25% of your truck.
4. Relax – we’re only teasing. The truth is that the difference in which truck is more “American” isn’t too substantial – it’s just a stupid list. Just stop talking trash about the Tundra already…it’s getting old.
Filed Under: Auto News
only true americam truck is the Nissan Titan …..
Dova you’re so right I think it’s called a Chrysler Titan now…..No more Nissan Titan. You better love your truck as it will become a rare breed. What does it feel like looking like a Dodge?
great article. I have owned about 15 chevy silverado ext. and crew cabs in the past 20 years or so and can honestly say they have all either been made in mexico and most in oshawa ontario canada. Not one american made. My 2007 tundra built in san antonio TX. Times have changed and if the rumors are true, chevy in bankruptcy now is going to be in really big trouble if it is true that GM is going to import cars made in China. Unbelievable, but sounds like it may come true.
I’ve been purchased for the company where I work at lest 800extended Silverado pickup, all of them made proudly on Mexico.
I sincerely prefer the Chevy’s made on Mexico because they have the last on technology and quality of assembly, I will never changed for Toyota Tundra.
James – We don’t think there’s anything wrong with a truck made in Mexico. It’s all the “Buy American” truck fans that get all bent out of shape about the whole foreign truck argument.
How did the Chevy Cobalt come out a head of the Toyota as being more “American”. Hate to tell you idiots this but I had a Chevy Cobalt. The engine was built in Mexico, transmission Built in Italy, car was assembled in Mexico, electronics were made in Japan, as a matter of fact most of the plastics came from China. I went over that car in the short period of time I owned that POS and never did find anything made in “USA” on it. Even the owner’s manual was printed in Mexico.
Way to tell it Bill……….
William – The Cobalt is on the list based on Cars.com’s official “buy American” metric. It’s production weighted by sales volume – i.e., if the Cobalt is made in both the US and Mexico, but the vast majority of cars sold come from the US plant, that’s weighted accordingly. I think your comment speaks to the underlying truth – nothing is manufactured in just one place.
So who’s on first? What’s on 5th. I love that joke!
Anonymous – The only joke here is your continued reluctance to put your name where your comments are.
LOL at all you guys arguing about trucks. I drive a Tundra and I like it. You drive a Ford and you like it. Can’t we leave it at that? Does it matter that the Tundra is more reliable, stronger and better looking than Ford, Chevy or Dodge? So you made a mistake or you drive your Chevy because your daddy did and you’re not your own man; it’s OK, really! Or maybe you thought a car with a box on the back would make you look manly? I donno!?
LOL at all you guys arguing about trucks.
See ya at the stop light.
PJD
Paul – Well said.
Apperently someone didn’t read the comment about the tundra owner disconnecting his battery every five miles to get it out of limp mode. Seems like a lot of owners are getting some humble pie, don’t worry yours is coming. We are just as happy as others they can now stop at stop light!
Hi, Im from mexico, and the took a vacation about 2 years, and I visited Silao City from Guanjuato state. And The city has the factory of chevrolet, I know that the propeti(area) is very big “the boulevard where is the factory named is chevrolet”, ahnnd, and In that place makke´s the suburban´s, tahoe´s, escalade´s, avalanche´s, express van´s and silverado´s. The field of ended products ist to far to see all the cars. It´s a pleasure comment about of is, that the Plant can be “magnufactured for Export” all the cars made in mexico , in this case, “Chevrolet” GM co.
ags aLex – Thanks for the comment – maybe your first-hand account will enlighten some of the die-hard “Buy American” folks who believe that buying a GM product is the “American” thing to do…according to the content label, it’s not.
Two things:
If I was a Mexican citizen, and could afford it, I’d definitely buy a Ford F-150 (45% Mexican Parts Content/ 55% US Parts Content, US final assembly), a Silverado (35% Mexican Parts Content, 65% US Parts Content; Mexican Made final assembly), or a Dodge Ram (all Hemi engines are Mexican, and ALL Heavy Duty Rams are, except for the US made Cummins engine, Mexican), and I would NOT buy a Tundra (because it’s 80% US Parts Content, and US Final Assembly), and even the Tundra’s engine and transmission are Proudly Made in USA! I’d want to support the country I live in, which if I were Mexican, would be Mexico! hecho en Mexico Dodge Hemi engine, Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, and 45% of the part content of Ford F-150!
Since I’m an American citizen, born and bred in the USA, I’ll take the Toyota Tundra; thanks!
JMS – Well put as always
well i have a 2002 dodge ram made in the u.s. i love it!!! it has 186 233 miles in it and it runs great never had a problem with it hemi engine made in mexico. my friend has a 07 toyota tundra 5.7l sr5 but his radiator went bad at 45 000 miles he also had to changed the computer on in not long ago and and it was made in the u.s. too!!! and chevy is also made here in the u.s with foreing parts and mexico makes in own chevy truck called cheyenne they also make silverados but only for the u.s.
Dodge Ram and Chevrolet Silverado are 100% American made. For you see, Mexico is part of the Americas, so is the United States of America. 🙂 Do you understand?