COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — With impending tariffs on foreign-built cars and the promise of potential tax benefits for buying American-manufactured autos, central Ohioans in the market for a new vehicle might be leaning toward what is rolling off U.S. assembly lines.
In his speech last week to Congress, President Donald Trump mentioned a proposed tax plan allowing car buyers to deduct interest payments on loans for American-made vehicles. The plan aligns with broader “America First” economic strategies, including imposing tariffs on foreign automobiles to encourage local production.
“I also want to make interest payments on car loans tax-deductible, but only if the car is made in America,” said Trump. “Oh, and by the way, we’re going to have growth in the auto industry like nobody’s ever seen.”
According to a list from the United Auto Workers, the country’s major auto manufacturing union, 71 vehicle models, representing 13 makes are currently assembled by UAW workers in America. Shoppers can choose from 12 cars, 20 trucks, 33 SUVs or CUVs, and 6 vans. Three of the trucks listed are also made in Mexico, including the Chevrolet Silverado Light Duty, the GMC Sierra Light Duty, and the Ram 1500, the UAW notes. So, the Vehicle Identification Number or VIN should be checked when looking for U.S.-made trucks.
“A VIN beginning with ‘1’ or ‘4’ or ‘5’ identifies a U.S.-made vehicle; a ‘2’ identifies a Canadian-made vehicle; a ‘3’ identifies a vehicle made in Mexico,” the UAW points out in its vehicle guide. “Not all vehicles made in the United States or Canada are built by union-represented workers.”
Cars produced at Honda’s plants in central Ohio are not included because their workers are not unionized.
While no car is 100% manufactured in the States, a 2024 study by Cars.com ranked the top 100 most American vehicles. The study considered assembly location, parts content, engine origin, transmission origin, and the U.S. manufacturing workforce. Researchers combed over more than 400 2024 model-year automobiles to make the list.
Cars.com’s American-Made Index Top 10 for 2024:
1. Tesla Model Y SUV, EV
2. Honda Passport SUV
3. Volkswagen ID.4 SUV, EV, UAW made
4. Tesla Model S, sedan, EV
5. Honda Odyssey, minivan
6. Honda Ridgeline, truck
7. Toyota Camry, sedan
8. Jeep Gladiator, truck, UAW made
9. Tesla Model X, SUV, EV
10. Lexus TX, SUV
In a hyper-local examination, several makes and models are built in the Buckeye State and, specifically, central Ohio.
Cars, trucks, and SUVs made in Ohio
Avon Lake
• Ford F-650/750 Medium Duty Trucks, UAW made
• Ford F-350/450/550 Super Duty Chassis Cab, UAW made
• Ford E-Series Cutaway, Stripped Chassis, UAW made
East Liberty
• Honda CR-V, No. 87 on the American-made index
• Acura RDX, No. 12 on the American-made index
Marysville
• Honda Accord, No.13 on the American-made index
• Acura TLX, No. 18 on the American-made index
• Acura ILX
Toledo
• Jeep Gladiator, No. 8 on the American-made index, UAW made
• Jeep Wrangler, No. 30 on the American-made index, UAW made
