Ford and GM Compete for 'Most American-Made' Automaker Title
On August 15, 2026, the Wall Street Journal reported that Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) and General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) are competing to be seen as the most "American-made" automaker. This competition is playing out through lobbying efforts for tariff policies favoring their respective manufacturing strategies. Ford builds about 80% of its U.S.-sold vehicles domestically, employing more factory workers than any rival and pushing for higher tariffs on South Korean imports that GM relies on for affordable models. In contrast, GM has invested $60 billion in the U.S. since 2020 to shift production back from China and reduce tariff exposure. The company expects $3–4 billion in tariff costs this year but aims to outproduce Ford in domestic assembly volume. Both companies publicly support renewing the USMCA trade pact, despite their divergent lobbying positions on tariffs. However, both automakers face challenges due to global supply chains and cross-border dependencies. While Ford's Lincoln production shift is a response to U.S. tariff policies, GM still relies heavily on Canadian facilities for key models.
Topics: automotive industry manufacturing strategy tariffs USMCA