* Design and Engineering: While many foreign companies now have US design studios and manufacturing plants, cars traditionally designed and engineered primarily in the US, with a focus on American tastes and preferences, are often considered American cars.
* Manufacturing Location: This is a common, but not always accurate, measure. A car assembled in the US, even with many imported parts, might be considered American. Conversely, a car designed in the US but manufactured overseas might not be.
* Brand Ownership and Heritage: Established American brands like Ford, General Motors (Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac), Chrysler (Dodge, Jeep, Ram), and Tesla are intrinsically linked to American automotive history and culture, automatically lending an "American" label to their vehicles.
* Target Market and Styling: American cars are often associated with larger sizes, powerful engines, and features that cater to the American driving market, like spacious interiors and a focus on comfort. However, this is a generalization and doesn't always hold true.
* Parts Sourcing: The percentage of US-sourced parts used in the manufacturing process can be a factor, though it's difficult to define a precise threshold.
In short, it's a combination of these factors that contributes to a car's perception as "American." There's no magic number or single element that definitively makes a car American; it's a multifaceted judgment.
