Largest Automobile Companies in the USA: Top Car Makers

By Ankita Neogi

Updated Sep 27, 2026Published Jun 1, 202314 min read

General Motors is the largest automobile company in the USA by sales in the American market, with Ford and Toyota among its closest rivals. GM, Ford and Tesla are the biggest American-owned carmakers; Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram belong to Stellantis. Worldwide, Toyota has been the largest automaker since 2020, and GM ranked fourth in 2025.

Note (September 2026): This list was first compiled in June 2023; in September 2026 its headquarters, founding years and company facts were re-checked against company and reference sources and errors were corrected in place. Chrysler has been part of Stellantis since 2021. Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia and Volkswagen are foreign manufacturers with large US operations. Some figures and descriptions below could not be verified, so check each company’s own reports before relying on them.

The United States is home to a wide range of manufacturing businesses. Among other industries, the automobile industry has seen incredible growth.

Automobile Companies in USA – List of Top Automobile Companies in USA

The US vehicle market is best measured in units: according to US Bureau of Economic Analysis data published by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, total new-vehicle sales ran at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of about 17.2 million units in August 2026. (An earlier version of this article quoted a $104.1 billion market projection that could not be traced to a reliable source.) Due to the magnitude of the industry, ranking the top automobile brands in the US is a significant challenge, if not a tough job!

Because America is the most popular and ‘desired’ place for top luxury car manufacturers globally, picking the best automobile brand requires significant research. Every American desire an automobile for its comfort, quickness, luxury, and agility. This article lists 20 of the largest automobile companies operating in the US, covering both American-owned carmakers and foreign automakers with major US headquarters and factories.

Top 20 Automobile Companies Operating in the USA | Headquarters & Founding Year

Disclaimer: This list represents the top automobile companies operating in the USA based on size, influence, and market presence. Founded dates reflect either global founding or North American establishment. Headquarters and company status were re-checked in September 2026; Tesla’s headquarters is now Austin, Texas (moved from Palo Alto in December 2021). Details may change due to market dynamics or corporate restructuring.

Tesla

American energy and vehicle firm Tesla is headquartered in Austin, Texas, at Gigafactory Texas; it moved its headquarters there from Palo Alto, California, in December 2021. Due to its emphasis on electric vehicles and forward-thinking business model, Tesla, which was founded in 2003 by engineers Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, has grown to become one of the most famous companies worldwide.

Some of the world’s most cutting-edge electric vehicles are produced by Tesla. As of 2026, Tesla’s production lineup is the Model 3 sedan, the Model Y crossover SUV, the Cybertruck pickup (deliveries began in November 2023) and the Semi truck; Tesla announced in January 2026 that it would discontinue the Model S and Model X in the second quarter of 2026. These cars all run on electric motors and batteries; whether an EV is cheaper to own than a gasoline car depends on its purchase price, local electricity rates and available incentives. Solar panels and home energy storage systems are also offered by Tesla.

General Motors

With its corporate headquarters in Detroit, Michigan, General Motors is one of the biggest automobile companies in the United States. William Crapo Durant established the business in 1908. Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC are just a few of the brands under which GM sells a variety of automobiles.

American automakers have enjoyed tremendous success throughout the years, with several of them becoming well-known brands. One such business, with a lengthy and famous past, is General Motors. In the history of autos, GM is responsible for numerous historical developments.

GM is credited with automotive firsts such as the electric self-starter (developed in 1911 and introduced on Cadillacs) and the mass-produced fully automatic transmission (1939). The moving assembly line (1913) and the first affordable mass-produced car, the Model T (1908), were Ford achievements, not GM’s. GM has been pursuing innovation lately, with a special emphasis on autonomous and electric vehicles.

Ford

American automotive and transportation corporation Ford Motor Corporation is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan. Henry Ford founded the business in 1903, and it has since grown to be one of the biggest automakers in the world, offering a variety of cars, trucks, vans, crossovers, and SUVs. Additionally, the business offers financial services via Ford Motor Credit Company.

From introducing the Model T in 1908 to using 3D printing for part prototyping, Ford has a long history of breaking new ground in the automotive industry. Ford is still pursuing sustainability and innovation today, investing in EV and driverless vehicle technology as well as creating new engines and materials that boost efficiency and lower emissions.

Toyota Motor Corporation

Aichi, Japan is home to Toyota Motor Corporation, a Japanese automobile manufacturer. Kiichiro Toyoda launched the business in 1937. With its brands Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu and Hino, Toyota has been the world’s largest automaker by sales since 2020.

Toyota Motor Corporation, a Japanese multinational corporation and one of the biggest automakers in the world, generated approximately $265 billion in revenue in 2017. For the fiscal year ended March 2025, Toyota reported revenue of about 48 trillion yen, and it employs roughly 384,000 people worldwide. In the US it runs assembly plants in states including Kentucky, Indiana, Texas and Mississippi, and its North American headquarters is in Plano, Texas.

Although Toyota is best known for its cars, it also makes commercial vehicles, engines, and a variety of other things. Its wider activities include robotics research, hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles and a venture capital arm, Toyota Ventures. Toyota has focused in recent years on self-driving cars and eco-friendly energy solutions.

Honda

Japan is the home of the international firm Honda. Honda Motor Co., Ltd., one of the top automakers in the world and the world’s largest motorcycle maker since 1959, was incorporated by Soichiro Honda in 1948 and makes a variety of products, including automobiles, motorbikes, aircraft, power tools, robots, and more. Honda has a presence all over the world and employs more than 190,000 people.

Since the company’s inception, innovation has been at its center, leading to ground-breaking developments in hybrid and electric vehicles, safety technology, fuel efficiency, and more. Honda has made an investment in renewable energy sources including solar and wind power as part of its commitment to environmental conservation. Honda has also set goals for lowering CO2 emissions and water usage.

Chrysler LLC

Chrysler’s parent company is FCA US LLC, which does business as Stellantis North America and is based in Auburn Hills, Michigan; it has been part of the Stellantis group since January 2021. Walter P. Chrysler established the business in 1925. Under the names of its brands Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram, Chrysler offers a variety of automobiles.

FCA US employed about 81,000 people in 2023. Chrysler has not been a separately listed company since its 1998 merger with Daimler-Benz, so it has no stand-alone market capitalization; the $8.4 billion market value and $38 billion 2018 revenue figures previously quoted here could not be verified.

Chrysler’s lineup of minivans, sedans, and SUVs is among its most well-known products. The Pacifica minivan and its lower-priced Voyager version are the Chrysler brand’s core models; the 300 sedan ended production on December 8, 2023. The Crossfire (2004-2008 model years) and the Aspen (2007-2009 model years) were short-lived Chrysler models of the 2000s, not recent introductions. The Dodge Charger belongs to the separate Dodge brand and returned as an electric Charger Daytona in late 2024, with gasoline Sixpack versions following in late 2025; the PT Cruiser ended production in July 2010 and has not returned.

Hyundai

Since 1967, Hyundai, a South Korean automaker, has been making automobiles. Hyundai Motor Company sells more than 4 million vehicles a year, and together with its affiliate Kia it forms Hyundai Motor Group, the world’s third-largest automaker by sales, with about 7.27 million vehicles in 2025.

Excellent quality, dependability, and affordability are hallmarks of Hyundai automobiles. They currently offer sedans, SUVs, vans, and trucks in their vehicle inventory. The business also manufactures high-end vehicles under the Genesis name.

Hyundai has made a name for itself as a technological innovator, concentrating on producing vehicles that are reliable, safe, and efficient. They have created a variety of driver assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot monitoring.

Kia

South Korean automaker Kia is a member of the Hyundai Motor Group. Since its founding in 1944, Kia has developed into one of the top automakers in the world, creating inventive, dependable, and fashionable vehicles. From fast hatchbacks and sedans to family-friendly vans, SUVs, and crossovers, Kia’s lineup of cars is made to suit a variety of demands and budgets.

Kia cars are renowned for being reasonably priced and for providing cutting-edge technology, performance, and safety features. As a technology innovator, Kia has also developed superior infotainment systems, eco-friendly powertrains, and autonomous driving.

Nissan

Nissan is a global Japanese automaker with its headquarters in Yokohama. The 1933-founded business manufactures automobiles, trucks, SUVs, and vans for both domestic and foreign markets.

Nissan has a long history of invention, creating some of the most well-liked and cutting-edge automobiles available today. Nissan was an early mass-market electric-car maker with the Leaf, launched in 2010, but it reported a net loss of about 671 billion yen for the fiscal year ended March 2025 and has announced plans to close seven factories and cut 20,000 jobs by 2027. Merger talks with Honda ended in February 2025. In order to satisfy the needs of every consumer, Nissan also offers a wide range of crossovers, sedans, and sports vehicles.

Nissan’s best-known nameplates include the Rogue and Murano, plus the Maxima, 370Z and GT-R. Maxima production for the US and Canada ended in July 2023, the 370Z was succeeded by the Nissan Z, and the last GT-R (R35) was built on August 26, 2025.

Volkswagen

In 1937, the German company Volkswagen was created. Volkswagen Group delivered about 10.9 million vehicles in 2019, when it was the world’s largest automaker by sales, but deliveries fell to about 9.3 million in 2020 and Toyota has led global sales since then. The group delivered about 9.0 million vehicles in 2025, ranking second worldwide. The Beetle, the Jetta, the Golf, the Passat, and the Tiguan are some of their most well-known vehicles. Germany’s Wolfsburg serves as the company’s corporate headquarters.

With its cutting-edge technology, including its sophisticated autonomous driving systems, Volkswagen has been at the forefront of technology and innovation. Volkswagen’s environmental record is mixed: in 2015 the company admitted to using software to cheat US diesel emissions tests (the “Dieselgate” scandal), and it has since invested heavily in electric vehicles. The 25%-by-2026 carbon target previously quoted here could not be verified, so check the group’s latest sustainability report for its current goals.

Which Is the Largest Automobile Company in the USA?

General Motors is the largest automobile company in the USA. According to the company history summarized on Wikipedia, GM has continuously been the largest automaker in the US market, even though it lost the global sales title to Toyota in 2008. GM sells vehicles under four US brands: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac. In 2025 the company moved its Detroit headquarters from the Renaissance Center to the Hudson’s Detroit development.

Ford Motor Company is the second of the traditional Detroit giants. Ford sold about 2.2 million vehicles in the US in 2025 and operates three divisions: Ford Blue (gasoline and hybrid vehicles), Ford Model e (electric vehicles) and Ford Pro (commercial vehicles). Shoppers comparing GM models can use this guide on how to choose the right Chevy options.

Tesla is the largest American electric-vehicle maker. Tesla delivered about 1.66 million vehicles worldwide in 2025, led by the Tesla Model Y electric SUV. The company’s angular pickup is covered in this Tesla Cybertruck price and specs guide.

World’s Largest Automakers by Vehicle Sales

The global ranking shows how the companies that sell cars in America compare worldwide. The table below uses 2025 figures from Wikipedia’s list of manufacturers by motor vehicle production, which compiles industry data; the Stellantis and Ford figures are rounded estimates.

BYD, SAIC and Geely do not sell their own-brand passenger cars in the US market, so they do not appear in the list of companies operating in the USA above.

American-Owned vs Foreign Automakers in the US

An automaker can be headquartered in America without being American-owned. The Detroit “Big Three” historically meant General Motors, Ford and Chrysler; today Chrysler is owned by Stellantis, a group formed in January 2021 by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and France’s PSA Group and registered in the Netherlands. Many foreign automakers also build vehicles in US factories.

Toyota’s US network alone includes assembly and component plants in Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, Missouri, Texas, Mississippi and California, according to Toyota Motor North America’s company profile.

Which Companies on the Original List Have Failed?

Three start-ups from the original 2023 list are no longer building vehicles:

• Lordstown Motors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on June 27, 2023, after a dispute with Foxconn. The company emerged in March 2024 as Nu Ride Inc., and its Endurance electric pickup was discontinued.
• Fisker Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on June 17, 2024. Its only production model, the Fisker Ocean SUV, was sold off during the wind-down, and its assets are being liquidated.
• Bollinger Motors, majority owned by Mullen Automotive since 2022, entered receivership in May 2025 and ceased operations in November 2025. Founder Robert Bollinger bought the remaining assets at auction in early 2026.

These failures show how capital-intensive carmaking is: several electric-vehicle start-ups that went public around 2020 and 2021 struggled to scale production before running out of cash.

Newer American Electric-Vehicle Makers

Rivian

Rivian Automotive was founded by RJ Scaringe in 2009 and is headquartered in Irvine, California. Rivian builds the R1T pickup (launched October 2021) and R1S SUV (December 2021) at its plant in Normal, Illinois, and launched the smaller R2 SUV in June 2026. Rivian delivered 42,284 vehicles in 2025.

Lucid Motors

Lucid Group began in 2007 as Atieva and is headquartered in Newark, California. Lucid builds the Air sedan and the Gravity SUV (production started December 2024) at its factory in Casa Grande, Arizona. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has been Lucid’s majority shareholder since 2019. For premium models from established brands, see this list of top luxury cars.

How Big Is the US Car Market?

The US car market is one of the largest in the world. According to US Bureau of Economic Analysis data, total vehicle sales ran at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of about 17.2 million units in August 2026. US factories typically produce around 10 million vehicles a year, according to reference summaries of industry data, with lows of 5.7 million in 2009 and 8.8 million in 2020.

How to Use This List When Buying a Car

• Check who builds it: a foreign brand may assemble the car in the US, and an American brand may import it.
• Check company health: buying from a financially troubled start-up can leave owners without dependable parts, service or warranty support, as the Fisker collapse showed in 2024.
• Compare total cost of ownership: fuel or charging, insurance and maintenance matter as much as sticker price. This car owner’s guide covers buying, driving, maintaining and insuring a vehicle.
• Negotiate: dealer prices vary; see these car price negotiation tips.

Written byAnkita Neogi

Ankita Neogi has published 791 articles on Justwebworld since 2020, mostly covering Food, Mind and People.

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