With a growing emphasis on supporting local industries, the desire to promote domestic manufacturing and limiting transportation’s ecological effects, many people want to buy American-made vehicles. Here are a few key factors you can check to see what the car you have your eye on is made of. 

First, check the window sticker. One of the easiest ways to determine a car’s origin is by looking at the window sticker or Monroney label. This provides essential information about the vehicle, including its manufacturer, country of origin, engine specifications, and fuel economy ratings. Look for the section that states “Final Assembly Point” or “Country of Origin” to find out where the manufacturer assembled the car.

Second, look at the Vehicle Identification Number. The VIN’ first number will tell you where the car was assembled. If the first character is a 1, 4, or 5, then the car was assembled in the United States. If the first character is a 2, 3, or 6, then the car was assembled in Canada. When the first character is any other number, then the car was assembled in another country.

Third, if you’re still not sure where a particular car was built, you can do some research online. A number of websites list the final assembly points for all makes and models of cars. One website is cars.com: www.cars.com/american-made-index/. This website lists the American-made index for all 2023 models. The American-made index is a measure of how American-made a car is, based on factors such as the location of final assembly, the percentage of U.S. and Canadian parts, and the country of origin for the car’s major components. Another website that can be helpful is vehiclehistory.com: www.vehiclehistory.com/vin-decoder. This website allows you to decode a VIN number and get information about the car’s history, including where it was assembled. You can also check the American Automobile Labeling Act reports, www.nhtsa.gov/part-583-american-automobile-labeling-act-reports, which provides comprehensive information about the percentage of American and Canadian parts used in various vehicles.

Understanding where your vehicle is manufactured not only helps you make an informed decision, but also allows you to support the U.S. economy and domestic manufacturing. The next time you’re in the market for a new car, remember to check the window sticker, research the manufacturer, review the VIN, and use online resources to ensure you’re making a proudly American choice. 

Or, you could just ask your Concierge!

Written by Brynn 

At CarBlip, we envision a future where car buying is synonymous with trust, transparency, and simplicity. We strive to lead the automotive industry in customer-centric innovation by evolving the car buying experience. Our vision is to be the go-to service for consumers, building relationships beyond the transaction and making every car purchase a journey of confidence, clarity, and connection.