An important question for many American new car buyers is: Is it American made? Recently, Buick, Ford, Lincoln and Cadillac scored high in the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study. But then, Harris poll results said that car owners prefer imports for quality. Hmm….

Made Where?

Many Japanese cars are “made in America.” Other American and import autos are assembled in America from parts made elsewhere. The top 10 autos purchased in 2012 were all “made in the USA”:

1. Toyota Camry, Georgetown, KY and Lafayette, IN
2. Ford F-150, Dearborn, MI and Claycomo, MO
3. Honda Accord, Marysville, OH
4. Toyota Sienna, Princeton, IN
5. Honda Pilot, Lincoln, AL
6. Chevrolet Traverse, Lansing, MI
7. Toyota Tundra, San Antonio, TX
8. Jeep Liberty, Toledo, OH
9. GMC Acadia, Lansing, MI
10. Buick Enclave, Lansing, MI

The American Automobile Labeling Act requires labeling all vehicles with their percentage of U.S./Canadian parts, engine and transmission’s country of origin, and country of assembly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s data shows Toyota Avalon is actually the most American, with 85% of its parts made here.

Survey Says

Exploring 5 official surveys on reasons people buy certain vehicles we find:

* Safety – The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s 2012 top safety picks puts American and Japanese cars tied for safest on the road. These manufacturers are America’s GM, Ford and Chrysler/Fiat, and Japan’s Toyota, Honda and Subaru.

* Value – US News’ Best Cars for the Money 2012 list gives Americans the trophy. Thirteen vehicles were made by the Detroit Three (Ford – Fiesta and Fiesta Hatchback, Fusion and Fusion Hybrid, Taurus, Edge; Chevrolet – Cruze, Equinox, Suburban; Buick – Regal; Cadillac – Escalade; Jeep – Wrangler; Chrysler Dodge – Ram 1500). Five were made by Japanese companies (Subaru – Outback; Toyota – RAV4, Tacoma Compact Pickup, Lexus RX 350 Luxury and RX 350 Hybrid)

* Resale Value – Kelley Blue Book’s Top 10 Best Resale Values in 2012 list looks like a Japan-sandwich. America’s bread is #1 (Jeep Wrangler) and #10 (Chevrolet Camaro). Japan provides the most ingredients: #2 (Toyota FJ Cruiser), #3 (Toyota Tacoma), #7 (Honda CR-V), #8 (Lexus RX), and #9 (Nissan Frontier).

* Dependability – J.D. Power’s Most Dependable Vehicle Survey 2012 ranked the most problem free cars. Japan’s Lexus wins. Although there are more Americans on the list, they didn’t score as well as the Japanese manufacturers, Toyota in particular

* Owner Satisfaction – J.D. Power’s 2012 Power Circle Customer Satisfaction Ratings showed Japan with 8 vehicles winning their respective classes nosing out America’s seven.

But American and Japanese manufacturers shouldn’t rest on their laurels as the top two. The number of Korean- produced Kias and Hyundais gain attention every day for performance, efficiency and affordability.

The Final Answer

No matter what statistics say about which maker is better, buyers will simply continue to choose automobiles that suit their personal wants and needs; and why not? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, it is said. Quality is too.