When we talk about cars, Germany and Japan are the two countries that come into everyone’s mind, and rightly so. The leading automobile companies, such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, and Volkswagen, come from Germany, whereas Japan has Toyota, Honda, Subaru, and Lexus to the world.That said, the US too is home to some of the best car companies in the world. While Tesla and Ford are the most popular, there are other American car companies that you may not be aware of.
Here a list of the top ten American car companies you should know about.
Table of Contents
American Car Companies: Tesla
No surprises here, as Tesla has risen from an innovative electric car startup to one of the most valuable motor companies in the world. Currently owned and managed by Elon Musk, Tesla has revolutionized the electric car industry.
Back in the day, when people heard of electric cars, they thought of slow, less-powerful cars. Tesla has redefined automobile performance, which has earned them a spot on this list.
Ford
In the early 1900s, Henry Ford created the Ford Model T, and 19 million models were sold in less than 20 years, paving the way for the commercial automobile industry. Hence, many people consider Henry Ford as the father of the American automobile industry.
To date, Ford has managed to be one of the leading Automobile companies in the world. The company has come a long way from the Model T and gave the world some amazing rides, such as Mustang, Taurus, Explorer, Thunderbird, and the F series.
Dodge
Established in 1914, Dodge is one of the oldest car manufacturing companies not only in the US but the entire world. The family business that started with bicycles grew to supply auto parts and eventually make cars themselves.
The company underwent numerous mergers and acquisitions in the early 1900s, but to date, it has continued to produce high-quality cars and keep car enthusiasts excited. Some of the best cars by Dodge are the Challenger, Ram, Viper, and Charger.
Jeep
Any list of the best SUV companies in the world is incomplete without Jeep. The company was created in the 1940s to aid soldiers in traveling long distances. Soon, it began providing quality automobiles to the public, and to date, it remains to be one of the most popular choices for SUV lovers.
Over the years, Jeep has given us some amazing cars and SUVs, with the best ones being Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Wrangler Rubicon, and Wagoneer.
American Car Companies: Cadillac
A French adventurer named Antoine Laumet de La Mothe Cadillac explored and discovered Detroit. Later, Henry Leland found a car company and named it Cadillac in honor of the man who discovered the city. And since then, Cadillac has been a treat for car lovers.
Cadillac was the first American car company to win the Dewar Trophy by the Royal Automobile Club of England. Moreover, it’s the only company among all American car companies to win the award twice. Cadillac was also the first company to introduce cars with an enclosed cabin and passenger seats, thereby revolutionizing the commercial automobile industry.
Some of the best Cadillac models of all time are the CTS-V, Ciel, and 67 Park Avenue.
GMC
If you’re into large automobiles – SUVs and rapid trucks – you probably already know about GMC. Established in 1902, GMC was initially launched as the General Motors Truck Company and focused entirely on making trucks.
Over the years, the company transitioned into smaller but powerful vehicles for everyday use. The best GMC models, including Savana, Yukon, Suburban, and Sienna, remain to be the definition and power and durability in the American automobile industry.
Lincoln
Lincoln is one of the pioneers among American car companies known for luxury. Founded by Henry Leland – the man who founded Cadillac – Lincoln was one of the first luxury car companies in America.
The first Lincoln model released in 1936 was priced at $1,320, which will be worth millions in today’s time. You might already know about the classic Lincoln cars enhancing the streets of the US, such as Mark LT, Town Car, Zephyr, and Corsair.
Buick
Buick is the oldest car manufacturing company in the US, founded in 1903. And even after a century, Buick remains to be one of the most reliable and preferred American car companies out there. Some remarkable models released by Buick are Rivera, Electra, and Roadmaster Skylark. Even today, SUVs by Buick like Enclave and Terraza are popular picks among car lovers and enthusiasts.
American Car Companies: Chevrolet
Founded in 1911, Chevrolet is another one of the American car companies that have been out there for more than a century and are still going strong. Since the company’s inception, it has focused on diversifying its product range and has produced all sorts of automobiles. This includes heavy pickup trucks, family cars, and sports cars.
Some iconic cars by Chevrolet include the Corvette, Camaro, and Suburban. Apart from these timeless classics that Americans still drive today, Chevrolet’s modern models include the SS, Malibu, Bolt, and Colorado.
Chrysler
Last but definitely not least, Chrysler is an American car company and the third-largest to come out of the Motor City Detroit. The company has never failed to wow the public with its innovative ’80s K-cars and minivans, SUVs, and luxury vehicles.
Some of the best models released by Chrysler include PT Cruiser, Newport, Imperial, and Chrysler 300.
Honorable Mentions
About 3,000 car companies have existed in the US, and compiling all of them in one list is not possible. However, here are some honorable mentions of American car companies that have managed to dominate the global automobile industry.
- Pontiac
- Saturn
- Ram
- Geo
- Hennessey
- Plymouth
- Oldsmobile
- Packard
American Car Companies: Wrap Up
Some of the American car companies have been out there for more than a century and are still going strong. While German and Japanese car companies tend to dominate the automobile space, American brands have also managed to establish their dominance by producing some excellent quality vehicles.
So, which American car company is your favorite?
