Do you think “American Made” when you see the Toyota Tundra? If not, you certainly should start thinking that way.
The old world of automakers that shipped vehicles across oceans to be sold is mostly gone and in the past. Today, more vehicles are built where they are sold than ever before, which is why the Tundra is the most American truck you’ll find in the market today.
Stop Thinking Detroit Big Three
For generations, we have thought the only trucks being made in America were the Ford F-Series, Chevrolet/GMC pair, and the Dodge/Ram models. These are names we know because the headquarters for GM, Ford, and Chrysler were all located in the U.S. and centered around the Motor City of Detroit, Michigan. While patriotic, we have to move away from thinking that trucks are only made in America by these three brands.
What Does American Made Mean Today?
Are you looking for a truck that’s made at a plant located in America? Do you want your truck to have the most parts build and assembled in America? Are you searching for something that was produced locally? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, or all of them, the truck you want to buy is the Toyota Tundra. This truck has more parts made in America than even the most popular truck in the market, the Ford F-150.
What Makes the Tundra the Most American Truck?
When we look at five factors that go into selecting vehicles as being “locally built” you’ll quickly see that the Toyota Tundra happens to be the most American truck in the market today.
These factors we consider are:
• Location of final assembly
• Number of U.S. or Canadian parts
• Country of origin for available engines
• Country of origin for available transmissions
• U.S. manufacturing employees relative to the automaker’s footprint
Considering these five criteria, you’re going to quickly realize the Tundra is the truck that checks more boxes than any other truck to be as American as it gets.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
When reviewing the list compiled by Cars.com, we see that the criteria set above were met at a higher rate for the Tundra than for any other full-size truck. On the list assembled, the Tundra came in at 16 as the most American vehicle and it was the top full-size truck on the list.
By comparison, the Ford F-150 was in the 44th position. The Tundra wasn’t the top overall truck, the Ford Ranger was, but it’s not a full-size truck. If that makes you feel a little better about the Ford name, ok, but the Tundra still takes the title as the Most American Full-Size Truck.
The Toyota Tundra is a bit of an Enigma
Now that we’ve determined that the Tundra is an American truck, we can look at what it brings to the market for your drive. When you look at the competition from the Detroit Big Three, the Tundra can’t compare with the options, technology, engine lineup, or features of any of these trucks. The Tundra seems to be a bit outdated, too large, too slow, and overall just a clunky truck that falls short.
That being said, people who drive the Toyota Tundra tend to love them. This truck is a Toyota and as such it’s one of the toughest, most dependable, and longest-lasting trucks on the road. You can’t kill a Tundra unless you do it on purpose. This truck can be taken into the wilderness, pull a trailer, fit your family, and just do truck stuff the way you want. What else do you need?
Will This Change Your Mind?
Knowing that your Toyota Tundra is more American than any other truck might not be enough for you. Think about the fact that this truck is made in Texas and Indiana, two of the most American of states. One state is located in the heartland with farmers and autoworkers making up a healthy portion of the population and another state that is as big, bold, and brash as we can get. What’s more American than making a truck in these two states? Plus, there are loads of incredible upgrades and customizations you could make with OEM or after-market truck accessories available for the Tundra. Speaking of American, is there anything more American than a lift kit on your truck?
While you might have your own level of brand loyalty and love your Ford, Chevy, GMC, or Ram truck, you simply can’t argue with the fact that the Tundra is more American than all of them. Let your mind open to this fact and realize that your friends and neighbors might be among the many people responsible for making this incredibly American truck.
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