Jeep Takes Top Two Spots on Most American List

Wrangler Chief Edition and Cherokee Limited take positions previously held by two Japanese-branded cars.

Move over, Toyota. The Jeep Wrangler Chief Edition now holds the Cars.com crown as the most American-made vehicle. Coming in second on the list is the 2017 Jeep Cherokee Limited.

Believe it or not, that’s quite a shift on the coveted list, considering that the two top posts were previously held by the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, as detailed in a USA Today report.

Yep, we know what you’re thinking, “How in the world did two Japanese cars wind up at the top of an All-American list?” Well, it’s pretty interesting, especially given the fact that it had it not been for Cars.com revamping some of the factors used in the past, the Camry and Accord might have wound up being one of the top posts again this year.

ALSO SEE: What Forum Members Have to Say

The biggest dynamic that likely changed the list was the fact that sales volume was discounted as criteria, which has given the Japanese carmakers like Honda and Toyota an edge over Jeep in the past. We actually think it was an unfair factor to begin with, so it made sense to eliminate it in our book.

Now, the other factors like assembly location, the percentage of parts made domestically, the manufacturing location of the model’s engine and transmission, and the number of American workers the manufacturer employs are all relevant factors for measuring how “American” a vehicle might be. But to penalize a vehicle like the Wrangler because it’s a more specialized purchase than a Honda seems a bit shortsighted.

Of course, in the mind of those here at JK-Forum, the Wrangler has always been the most American vehicle on the planet. Though, outside accolades that validate the idea are certainly welcomed.