Ford F-150 Tops 2014 American-Made Index List

Just in time for National “Made in the USA Day," Cars.com just unveiled its annual American-Made Index, and guess which Built-Tough pickup truck from Detroit was named leader of the pack?

That’s right! Ford's F-150 topped Toyota Camry and every other vehicle this year in Cars.com's most "American-made" vehicles ranking. It doesn't hurt that Ford's F-150 and its heavy-duty variants are, together, the nation's top-selling vehicle of any sort.

The American-Made Index, in its ninth year, rates cars based on two key pieces of information that can be found on the window stickers of every new car: final assembly point and domestic-parts content.

The labels show the percentage of U.S. and Canadian parts. In addition to showing where the car was built, the label will tell you where its engine and transmission were made, as well.

The Ford F-150 is America’s best-selling AND “Most American” vehicle, with a vast majority of its parts and assembly hailing from Ford headquarters in Dearborn, MI, and the Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, MO, which specializes in the F-150 Regular, Super & Crew Cab models.

And the F-150 isn't the only thing that makes Ford truly #AmericanMade. In fact, Ford is America's #1 selling brand! On top of industry-leading innovation, design and commitment to sustainability, the Ford Motor Company employs an estimated 60,000 people in the U.S. alone, most of whom work throughout the company's numerous U.S. plants.

To us, though, it's not surprising at all. Because on top of practically sparking the American industrial revolution, Henry Ford is credited with CREATING the American Middle Class when he decided in 1914 to increase Ford employee wages to $5 per day -- more than DOUBLE what other industrialists were paying their workers.

Although it astonished and angered his peers, Ford calculated that paying so much would allow his workers to buy their own Ford cars, reducing the industry-typical high turnover levels and ultimately inventing the concept of employees as "brand ambassadors." It would create a loyal workforce that would boost productivity, employee morale, satisfaction and profits to new heights.

The new wage rate set off seismic shifts in American society. A tidal influx of job candidates from the South and around the world flowed into Detroit. Factory jobs became prized, helping turn America into the world’s industrial colossus. Detroit and America were never the same.

Celebrate Made in the USA Day and every other day with Ford! In the greater-Charlotte, NC region? Stop by Hilbish Ford for test drive today! And if you need a tune-up, our service team welcomes all makes and models, and there are always great offers guaranteed to save you time and money!