The domestic market is one of the world’s biggest, with close to 300 million cars registered annually. Besides the American brands like Ford, General Motors, and Tesla, the market is flooded with a huge variety of imports.
From Japan and Korea to Germany and the United Kingdom, each country has several highly appealing brands to consider. In this article, we’ll focus on compiling a list of all foreign car brands available in the USA.
You may be familiar with most of them, but there are certainly some you didn’t know are available, so continue reading if you’d like to know them all!
Some of the most influential car brands in the United States come from Japan. When the gas and emissions crisis hit towards the end of the 20th century, Japanese car manufacturers broke into the market with affordable, reliable, and fuel-efficient vehicles.
Ever since Japanese manufacturers have been held in high regard and constitute a high percentage of all cars in the United States.
Acura could have been packaged under the Honda badge, but considering its popularity, it wouldn’t be fair to do so. Acura represents the luxury branch of Honda and makes compact crossovers, sedans, and sports cars. The company first appeared on the US market in 1986.
A brand of choice for many American drivers, Honda makes vehicles with incredible reliability, economical maintenance, and an overall great value. Their best-selling models are Civic, Accord and CR-V, and Odyssey, one of the most popular minivans in the states.
First Honda vehicles appeared in the US as early as 1959, with the Dream, Benly, and Super Cub being the first models available.
Infiniti is Nissan’s luxury branch, now known as the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. The company sells sedans and SUVs, with the Infinity QX80 being the flagship model. The company began selling cars in the States in 1989 with the Q45 luxury sedan and M30 luxury coupe.
The pattern among Japanese manufacturers is now obvious, and Toyota definitely a part of it, with Lexus being its luxury brand. In fact, Lexus might have been the first of the Luxury side brands, and Toyota tried very hard to keep its connection with Lexus a secret.
Currently, Lexus offers one of the best sedans in the Lexus IS and SUVs in the Lexus LX, but the Lexus RX crossover is their most popular model. Like Infiniti, Lexus appeared in 1989 with LS 4000 and ES 250 sedans being the first models on offer.
Mazda has been unbeatable in the convertible roadster segment for more than two decades, as MX-5 continues to dominate the market. The manufacturer also has some good crossovers that combine affordable prices with reliability and comfort. Mazda started selling cars in the US in 1960 when Mazda Motor of America was established.
Mitsubishi doesn’t have a strong presence on the American market, at least not since it joined the alliance with Renault and Nissan. They still offer a few vehicles, like the well-liked Mitsubishi Outlander, with Nissan handling the rest of the market.
Mitsubishi’s first appearance on the US market was in 1981, but before that, it manufactured cars for Chrysler, most notably the Chrysler Colt.
The most dominant part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, at least in the US, is Nissan. Unlike other Japanese brands, Nissan has been somewhat of a niche brand, with Z-cars, Nissan Versa, and Nissan Titan pickup being well-liked, but not as popular as some would expect.
Nissan is one of the oldest Japanese import brands in the United States, with the first Datsun cars available for sale in 1958.
Subaru is best known for the WRX series, but the Subaru Outback and BRZ are highly popular options. Interestingly, 20% of Subaru is actually owned by Toyota. The company started selling cars in the States in 1968.
Suzuki cars are no longer available in the United States, with the last models being Suzuki Kizashi and Suzuki SX4 in 2012. Still, their presence on the market is not insignificant, as Suzuki started selling cars in the US as early as 1985.
Toyota is without a doubt the best-selling Japanese brand in the US, and certainly a contender for the best-selling foreign brand in general. There are so many models to mention: Corolla, RAV4, 4Runner, Tacoma, Tundra, Land Cruiser, etc.
With Lexus and Scion under its ownership, Toyota sells both Japanese-made vehicles but also domestically made ones in its U.S. facilities. Toyota was the first Japanese brand to appear in the United States, all the way back in 1957.
South Korea does not have as many car manufacturers as Japan, but their industry is far from insignificant, even on a global scale. Hyundai and Kia are global brands and have been taking more of the U.S. market with the recently built models.
Genesis is the luxury branch of Hyundai, offering a few high-end luxury sedans, including Genesis G90. The company is also releasing an all-electric SUV – the GV60. The company has only recently made its way to the United States in late 2016.
Hyundai has a wide range of vehicles available in the US, from SUVs to passenger cars. The company is also investing heavily in electric cars and plans to ship out Ioniq 5 crossovers. The South Korean manufacturer offered its subcompact Excel in 1986 as the first import model.
Kia has been quickly gaining traction on the domestic market, with Kia Telluride SUV being one of the highest-rated models of 2022. The company started selling cars on the American market in 1992, with the Sephia and Sportage models.
For the longest time, the German manufacturers have been synonymous with luxury and prestige, with Lexus being the only company that could compete. Nowadays, you’ll find the same level of luxury in the higher tiers, but also a lot of affordable and exciting options.
Audi is best known for its A-series sedans and Q-series crossovers and the general sense of high quality that you don’t really expect in this segment. The E-Tron vehicles are Audi’s breakthrough into the electric market. The first Audi to appear in the US was the Audi 100 LS in 1970.
BMW has always been a luxury brand with a stronger focus on performance. The company has a series of crossovers, but it is their Series-3, Series-5, and the Series-7, as well as the M versions that set the manufacturer apart from the rest. The first Beemer was sold in the United States in 1956.
Bugatti doesn’t exactly fit in the German category, as it was made by an Italian (Ettore Bugatti) in the German town of Molsheim which is now in France.
However, given its direct connection with the Volkswagen Group, there’s no real debate about who’s making the decisions. The company is now in a partnership with the Croatian Rimmac, an electric supercar manufacturer.
We’ve mentioned how Lexus was made by Toyota in part to compete with Mercedes-Benz. Well, what Lexus represents for Toyota is what Maybach is for Mercedes-Benz. The luxury and comfort Maybach provides can only be compared to Rolls Royce.
While the prestigious S-Class is a vehicle of choice for CEOs, the company owners, presidents and billionaires ride in Maybachs.
Mercedes-Benz has been one of the most influential auto manufacturers and helped shape the industry. Many of the features we now regard as standard were present on S-Classes more than 20 years ago. Their range of SUVs and sedans needs no praise, with the only problem being the high prices.
Mercedes appeared on the US market as early as 1952, but the official dealership and the Mercedes-Benz USA branch were founded in 1965.
For some, Porsche is the pinnacle of sports car engineering, and that’s a point that is hard to argue with.
The German manufacturer has expanded its offer of sports cars to sports sedans and even crossover models that manage to retain the essence of Porsche’s performance. The imports into the United States started in 1982 when Porsche North America was established.
Smart cars were a questionable venture for Mercedes-Benz. On one hand, the supercompact design offered a lot of benefits for city drive, but the high starting prices and even higher maintenance costs made them hardly a viable option. The company pulled out of the US market due to unsuccessful sales.
It’s somewhat surprising that the most dominant European manufacturer does not have much of a presence in the US. They’ve sold cars on the American market all the way back in 1949, with the Beetle being a highly popular model.
Recently, the company has been trying to push its more premium line of vehicles and breakthrough that segment of the market.
The cars that came from Britain were considered on another level of class for the longest time. Today, almost all of the British brands are owned by foreign companies, like BMW, VW, Tata, and Ford.
Even though British cars lost some of their essence in the process, they gained much-needed reliability and build quality that makes them a competitive option on the market.
Aston Martin is likely the company with the best marketing scheme – it’s the James Bond car. The rather small manufacturer focuses on the creation of high-end sports cars: Vantage, DB11, DBS, and their first SUV, the DBX. Aston Martin first appeared in the US in 1990 and has seen limited sales since.
Whereas Aston Martin makes luxury cars that focus on performance, Bentley makes powerful cars with a focus on luxury. The Flying Spur, Continental, and Bentayga are the three lines of Bentley vehicles – a sports coupe, a sedan, and an SUV.
It’s not exactly clear when Bentley made its debut on the American market, but it’s possible that it was as early as 1919 with the Bentley Grand Tourer.
Jaguar has been making mid-high class sedans in line with Audi or Mercedes Benz, but the unmistakable British design has always set it apart from the German competitors. Interestingly, Jaguar’s most successful model is now the F-Pace, an SUV. The first Jaguar sales on the US market began in 1935 with the S.S. Jaguar.
There are a lot of off-road SUVs on the market, but only a few match the potential and luxury of Land Rover’s Defender and Range Rover. The company has solidified its place as one of the best SUV manufacturers in the world and has been selling its models in the States since 1987.
Lotus is a niche car manufacturer that makes exceptional sports cars. Their models featured small, but powerful engines and a lightweight body, giving them a unique appeal among all the tech and weight-heavy sports cars.
The company first debuted on the US market in 2005 but has since been in and out of the market due to management and production changes.
If Aston Martin and AMG make supercars, then McLaren makes something that is definitely a few steps above. McLaren cars belong to the elite group of the most powerful cars in the world, with an extremely limited and expensive production run.
Currently, the company produces the McLaren 720S and Artura, a high-performance hybrid. The company’s first supercars were sold in the US in 2011.
Next to Jaguar, Mini is the only sensible option to come from the British isles, but even it has that unique British flair that makes it so popular.
The new Mini has been available in the United States since 2002 and continues to capture the attention of the customers, while the original Mini made its way across the Atlantic in 1960.
The Spirit of Ecstacy is the ornament resting on top of the hood of the most luxurious car brand in the world. Rolls-Royce has been synonymous with pure comfort, luxury, and almost aristocratic status.
Rolls-Royce is one of the first manufacturers to make its way to the US in 1906, with the Rolls-Royce of America established in 1921.
The word passion has been used to describe Italian cars so much that it became somewhat of a joke, but honestly speaking, it’s still the best attribute you can give to a car made in Italy.
The temper of the Italian designers is matched by the country’s driving culture and results in sporty cars that have the qualities of a timeless classic, despite being standard production cars.
In the US, the Italian brands are limited to the premium segment, apart from Alfa Romeo which offers a more sensible option.
Alfa Romeo is now a subsidiary of Fiat and in turn the Stellantis Group. The company has made its return to the US market in 2015 with Alfa Romeo 4C, and now offers the Giulia sports car and the high-performance Stelvio.
Ferrari needs no introduction, with Enzo Ferrari being one of the most influential figures in the automotive world, next to Henry Ford, Gottlieb Daimler, Karl Benz, and Ferdinand Porsche. The first Ferrari dealership in the US was opened in 1964.
Originally a creator of farming tractors, Lamborghini became a fierce rival of Enzo Ferrari, and his cars certainly had the power to compete. The company now sells the Huracan and Urus, high-performance crossover SUVs.
Because of the exclusivity surrounding Lambo cars, the official date of their arrival in the US is unclear, but it’s likely that wealthy Americans started importing them as soon as the cars were released in Italy.
Maserati is the Italian brand fit to compete with Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Jaguar, and Aston Martin. The luxury car manufacturer currently produces the Levante SUV, Ghibli, and Quattroporte sedan, and the MC20 sports car.
Maserati appeared and disappeared from the domestic market several times as the company struggled financially. Its latest return was in 2002 with the US quickly becoming the manufacturer’s biggest market.
When there’s talk about the most influential auto manufacturing nations, Sweden doesn’t come up as often as it should. Volvo and Saab made significant breakthroughs in the industry, mostly in regard to safety.
The attention to detail and build quality would mark the downfall of both companies, as they couldn’t compete with other brands.
Saab has a history of aircraft making, which is why their cars are sometimes referred to as airplanes on wheels. The production facilities were closed in 2011 as the company failed to make profits, which is unfortunate considering just how good Saab vehicles were.
When you think of Volvo, you think of safety and practicality. The Swedish manufacturer somewhat dodged the fate of Saab by being sold to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, a Chinese corporation. Volvo continues to create a fleet of family sedans and SUVs, with the first models exported to the USA in 1955.
China mostly imports vehicles from international brands and has its own brands that stick to the domestic market. Polestar is the only exception to the rule and has found its way to the US.
Formerly a branch of Volvo, Polestar is owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. Their current vehicle is Polestar 2, a four-door, battery-powered fastback.
For 2021, BMW was the most popular luxury car brand in the United States, followed by Mercedez-Benz and Audi. Generally speaking, Toyota has always been the top foreign car brand, followed by Lexus, Honda, Mazda, and other Japanese manufacturers.
The quality and reasonable prices of Japanese cars make them much more popular than their rather expensive German counterparts.
The most important American car brands are Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, Jeep, Lincoln, Buick, Tesla, Chrysler, Cadillac, and GMC.
The most affordable foreign cars come from Japan. However, given that Toyota, Honda, and other brands are manufacturing their cars in the United States, the line between foreign and domestic is somewhat blurred.
Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic are among the cheapest cars to buy and most importantly – maintain.
Based on the average salary and cost of purchasing a car, Australia is the most affordable place, with 49.48% of the average yearly salary required to buy and run a car. The USA comes in second at 54.87%, followed by Denmark at 60.34% and Canada at 64.40%.
Buying a car in the US is going to be cheaper than almost anywhere else in the world. However, the insurance cost is fairly high, but it’s an expense that can’t be avoided.
Yes, Honda is a foreign car, with the company’s headquarters located in Japan. Still, the cars you can get in the dealerships might be American-made, as the company has several production facilities in the states.
Just like Honda, Toyota is a Japanese auto manufacturer with production facilities around the world, including the USA.
There are over 60 major car brands in the world, but they’re owned by just 14 corporations. Because of the high risks involved in the auto-making business, including the frequent company bankruptcies, the brands have been merging to tackle the industry’s growing problems.
It depends on how we count, but there are at least 42 brands present in the US. This includes major domestic and foreign brands, supercar manufacturers, and now electric car brands.
I find it ironic that Tesla is frequently placed at the top of the list of the most American-made cars when the batteries – the core of the vehicle – are sourced from China.
Because of the complicated logistic routes, we can’t say for sure where the parts are coming from, but Ford Mustang, Jeep Cherokee, and surprisingly Nissan Titan are some of the vehicles that use the most parts built in America.
Toyota vehicles are manufactured in plants located in Indiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Kentucky. Almost all of Toyota’s vehicles for the American market are manufactured in these four states.
Yes, and no. While the assembly takes place in the Fremont plant in California, the batteries and possibly other components are imported from China, and now other countries as well.
If the essence of an internal-combustion car is the engine, then the essence of the electric car is the battery pack, so I cannot agree with the statement that Tesla is the most-American built car.
A large portion of Ford’s production still takes place in the USA, but a significant part takes place in Mexico, with some vehicles also built in Canada.
The most popular car brand in the USA is now Toyota, surpassing Ford on its way to the top. This doesn’t come as a surprise considering the affordable prices, low maintenance costs, production quality, and low fuel consumption of the Toyota-branded vehicles.
Most foreign car brands come from Japan, Germany, and the United Kingdom, while most vehicles overall are produced by Japanese manufacturers. Keep in mind that this list covers foreign brands, not imported vehicles.
Almost all Japanese manufacturers have production facilities, technically making their cars domestic, while German manufacturers (except for the Mercedes-Benz SUV line) are imported directly from Germany.
If you’d like to learn where certain car and auto parts brands are made, then browse our articles, as we’ve covered many topics so far, and plan to expand the list even further!
