4/16/2011
It could be argued that truck buyers care more about “how American” their vehicles are compared to other segments.
For 2011, Dodge and Toyota make the trucks, van, and SUV that form the top of a list documenting vehicles that have the highest North American parts content.
Thanks to the American Automobile Labeling Act, the NHTSA issues a report every year that lists vehicles according to the amount parts that are derived from the U.S. and Canada. Percentages can change from year-to-year, but for 2011, the now-dead Ford Explorer Sport Trac tops the list for trucks, vans, SUVs, and cars with a full 90 percent of its parts from North America. We’ve omitted that vehicle, along with the defunct Mercury Mountaineer and outgoing Ford Explorer — each at 85 percent — before collecting the top performers in each segment. Check out the top cars in the related post also on this site.
Top Trucks
The midsize Dodge Dakota, at 84 percent, has just a bit more North American content than the full-size Toyota Tundra, at 80 percent. The Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon come in third, with 75 percent. For those who are curious, the 2011 report shows the Ram truck at 70 percent, the Chevrolet Silverado at 61 percent, and the Ford F-Series at 60 percent.
Top SUVs
Toyota’s large Sequoia SUV and Dodge’s midsize Nitro SUV have the highest North American parts content of any currently made SUV, according to the 2011 report, at 80 percent each. The four-door Jeep Wrangler has 79 percent North American content, actually one percent higher than the two-door model. The Jeep Liberty — made alongside the Dodge Nitro — is listed at 78 percent. The Buick Enclave has the highest content from the U.S. and Canada among luxury SUVs, at 75 percent, followed by the Acura RDX at 70 percent.
Top Vans/Minivans
The Dodge Grand Caravan has a higher North American parts content than any van or minivan, at 82 percent, even higher than the Chrysler Town & Country, which is at 80 percent. GMC’s Savana slips in at 80 percent, followed by the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey at 75 percent. Not surprisingly, the Ford Transit Connect has 10 percent North American parts content, as it is manufactured primarily in Turkey. The Kia Sedona is shown at 7 percent while the Mazda5 minivan has, well, 5 percent North American parts content, not a surprise, since the vehicles are made in South Korea and Japan, respectively.
Do you think that a vehicle’s North American parts content is more important for a truck or SUV than a car? How much would that affect your vehicle purchasing decision? Tell us in the comments section below.
Dodge Dakota Leads List of Trucks
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