Proudly American-Built Pickup Truck Selections

There was a time when pickup trucks were considered purely American vehicles. In a Car Throttle article, pickup trucks are defined as "drivable wheelbarrow" because it allows drivers to put large and heavy cargo on the truck bed. It is also typically used for farming and commercial purposes.

Modern pickup trucks are built with a mix of utility, power, comfortability, and sometimes—luxury. Several selections are available to drivers who want a pickup truck, but there's something special about those made in America. Explore some of the best American-built pickup trucks on the market today.

Made in the U.S

Cars.com curated a list that aims to showcase some proudly American-made vehicles, especially for shoppers who want to buy ones genuinely made and assembled in the United States.

Toyota Tundra

Toyota is a multinational car company that originated in Japan. To cater to American enthusiasts, the company established a 2,000-acre factory in San Antonio, Texas, in 2003. They have been building Tundras in the said plant until now, since 2006.

Since a lot of the truck parts and other components are manufactured, and the entire vehicle assembly happens in the Texas facility of Toyota, it is considered one of the proudly American-made vehicles. No other full-size pickup truck than Toyota Tundra landed on the list and earned the tenth spot in the Cars.com American-Made Index.

Some Tundra owners put aftermarket truck parts and accessories, like Fuel wheels, mud tires, and more—to make their truck reliable for street driving or on rugged terrains.

Honda Ridgeline

Honda is another company that originated in Japan. Although they began outside the United States, it did not hinder the company from creating manufacturing and assembly plants in America. A lot of the company's lineup, which you will see on the road, was made in some U.S. states such as Alabama, Indiana, Georgia, Ohio, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

To keep up with the demand, Honda's biggest presence is felt in the Carolinas and Ohio because that's where the massive manufacturing plants are located. According to Honda News, the Ridgeline is not the only vehicle that Honda builds in the Alabaman factory since other models like the Odyssey, Passport, and Pilot. The mid-size pickup was developed by engineers in the U.S. and is built entirely in Lincoln, Alabama.

Hummer EV

The Hummer symbolized the pinnacle of the American SUV as it resembles the military vehicle Humvee. Now, GMC is resurrecting the nameplate for its first electric 4x4.

Hummers ran with a combustion V8 engine before it was discontinued, but the latest Hummer model is built as an electric vehicle. GMC built the truck with a 350-mile range and 3-second 0-60 mph time. It outputs up to 1,000 horsepower and 11,500 lb.-ft of torque. It also includes rear-wheel steering, allowing it to drive sideways, and a removable glass roof.

Ford Ranger and F-150

Ford ranks a bit lower than other automakers, despite being known as one of the American brands. The Ranger is placed in the seventeenth spot in the American-made index, while the F-150 only ranked in the twenty-first spot.

A spokesperson of Ford said that every F-150 is made in America, built explicitly at Dearborn Truck Plant in Dearborn, Michigan, and another assembly plant in Missouri. Other larger F-series variants, such as the Super Duty, are manufactured in the Kentucky truck plant. Additionally, the Super Duty chassis cabs and medium-duty trucks are made in Ohio.

Consumers can choose from F-150s with a combustion engine or the all-electric version called the Lightning. F-150s are known to be a rugged vehicle targeted to be the most powerful and preferred light-duty full-size pickup trucks on the market.

For the 2022 Ranger, prospective buyers can select from three fantastic trims. It has durable features like frame-mounted steel bumpers and a high-strength steel frame. Since it has an advanced turbocharged gas engine, selecting from tire and wheel packages is best to compliment your daily driving or off-roading adventure.

According to Ford, since it is their flagship, it is a hundred percent assembled in America. Moreover, it is their way to hold themselves to the highest standard and raise the bar for all light-duty trucks. The truck provides impeccable towing, payload, horsepower, and torque to increase customer productivity.

GMC Sierra1500 Denali Ultimate

The top trim level of the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 is considered proudly made in Roanoke, Indianapolis. However, not all GMC Sierra trim levels can be categorized as built in the country. It is ranked 94 in the American-Made index.

Jeep Gladiator

Although it is considered one of the most American-made automobiles on the market today, the Jeep Gladiator is only ranked in the 40th spot on Cars.com's list. The area code of Toledo, Ohio, can be seen etched on the truck's bed. Jeep likes to put some Easter eggs on its vehicles, and the area code of the assembly plant is just one of its hints.

Not entirely American?

Pickup trucks are indeed a popular vehicle type among Americans. However, not all famous trucks are entirely made in America. Even the full-size pickups that we think are made in the country, may not wholly be made in the U.S.

Some truck models may seem as American as apple pie and baseball, but it's all just marketing that makes it seem like they're built in the United States. Most automakers assemble their cars in the country. However, producing vehicles using components and other parts manufactured abroad is common, especially in the auto industry. It can be challenging to track down an entirely American-made truck since most that we can see on the market have parts created outside the country, such as in Canada, China, etc.

Why are pickup trucks famous in the U.S.?

Not only have pickup trucks evolved since the 1940s, but their symbolism has too. Back then, pickup trucks were big brute machines mainly used for farming. But what was once an agricultural tool turned into a symbol of rugged individualism.

Pickup trucks have been used mainly for farming and commercial purposes. They allow drivers to haul things of different sizes and shapes. Trucks can tow livestock, farming implements, furniture, home improvement materials, or other heavy loads.

But as years progress, pickup trucks have significantly improved with a touch of luxury and modernity. From being a staple vehicle for American workers, they became a preferred rig, especially for daily driving and excursions.

Patronizing American-made vehicles

Pickup trucks are no longer just a workhorse. It has become an American icon—may it be for work or play. Many selections are proudly made in America, and each offers modern safety tech, a comfortable interior, and other cool features to drivers and passengers. Choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences to enjoy the benefits of driving a pickup truck.