Best American Car Brands: Rich Past, Promising Future

Baseball might be known as America’s favorite pastime, but cars are what truly drive the culture. American car brands aren’t merely household names, they are part of identities. In some ways, part of the family.

A handful of American car companies have been able to survive many downturns and market shifts. Others have rapidly propelled themselves forward, using the latest technology and innovation to create revolutionary products. And an unfortunate few have met their demise despite valiant efforts.

While there’s no shortage of long-lasting US car brands, a new era of automotive expertise is taking over. Will the new rivals be able to compete with the well-established? Or will they vanish into history like a fad from the last decade?

This list of the top American car brands is not only a history lesson, it’s a path forward to the future of American roads and a way of life.

The Best American Car Brands

Ford

This legendary American car brand was the first to use an assembly line with automated production. Over a century later, Ford still reigns supreme, producing the best-selling vehicle in the country for more than 40 years: the F-Series pickup. It has now been America’s best-selling truck for 49 consecutive years.

Ford is surging forward with many electrified offerings, including hybrid pickup trucks.

Year founded	1903
Annual sales	Approx. 2.1 million units (US, 2025)
Most popular model	F-Series
Official website	https://www.ford.com/

Chevrolet

When it comes to iconic American car companies, it would be impossible to overlook Chevrolet. Its consistent pursuit of new designs and technology has allowed this US car brand to stay ahead of most competitors.

Chevy excels at providing a wide array of reliable vehicles at an affordable price, on top of some of the best classic cars in existence.

Year founded	1911
Annual sales	1,829,235 units (US, 2025)
Most popular model	Silverado
Official website	https://www.chevrolet.com/

Tesla

Nikola Tesla brought about a revolution in AC electrical energy, and the aptly named Tesla Inc. US car brand has done a similar feat for electric vehicles.

What started as a niche automaker with one roadster option has grown into the third-biggest American car brand. The bulk of that volume comes from one car. The Model Y crossover is the best-selling electric vehicle in the United States by a wide margin, and it carries Tesla the way the F-150 carries Ford.

We’ve rounded up all the Tesla models and their prices if you’re interested in the brand.

Year founded	2003
Annual sales	1,636,129 units (global deliveries, 2025)
Most popular model	Model Y
Official website	https://www.tesla.com/

Jeep

The military need for a capable off-road vehicle allowed this American car manufacturer to establish its roots. Decades later, Jeep remains dedicated to providing capable sport utility vehicles, with popular crossover and off-road models.

You’ll find Jeeps all over the United States, some taking care of the daily commute and others conquering isolated four-wheel drive trails.

You can see all the Jeep models and prices here.

Year founded	1941
Annual sales	593,399 units (US, 2025)
Most popular model	Grand Cherokee
Official website	https://www.jeep.com/

Ram

There’s no doubting America’s love for pickup trucks. And when gathering American car makers serving this segment, Ram sits high on the list.

Ram first started as a moniker for various Dodge trucks. It branched off into its own entity, showcasing the incredible demand for lightweight and heavy-duty trucks across the county.

Ram is part of the Stellantis Group.

Year founded	2010
Annual sales	431,670 units (US, 2025)
Most popular model	Ram Pickup
Official website	https://www.ramtrucks.com/

GMC

Yet another American auto company that started at the turn of the 20th century has been able to stay in the game. GMC began building trucks that proved useful for military purposes throughout World War I and II.

It has stayed true to its roots by focusing on trucks while adding SUV and van models to meet growing demand.

Check the most popular GMC models and prices.

Year founded	1911
Annual sales	652,394 units (US, 2025)
Most popular model	Sierra 1500
Official website	https://www.gmc.com/

Dodge

This brand started as a sibling partnership supplying parts to other American-owned car companies. It eventually transitioned into producing its own vehicles, and after a century of ups and downs, has landed a secure position in the automotive industry.

Dodge still offers some of the most powerful mass-production vehicles in the world, though the lineup that made that reputation has thinned out. The Charger and Challenger sedans and coupes ended production in 2023, and the Durango SUV is now the brand’s volume leader.

Year founded	1900
Annual sales	101,927 units (US, 2025)
Most popular model	Durango
Official website	https://www.dodge.com/

Buick

You could best describe Buick’s long history as a roller coaster ride. At times, this American-made car brand has gone through phases of incredible struggle as well as ultimate success.

Buick’s offerings hit the middle of General Motors’ lineup, more luxurious than Chevrolet models but not as upmarket when compared to Cadillac.

Year founded	1903
Annual sales	198,155 units (US, 2025)
Most popular model	Envista
Official website	https://www.buick.com/

Cadillac

While the “Standard of the World” title may have been self-imposed, Cadillac has done an excellent job at meeting the description over its long history. By focusing entirely on premiere luxury vehicles, this American car brand has consistently pushed ahead of others.

Today, Cadillac lives under the design philosophy of “Art and Science,” and still creates some of the top luxury sedans and SUVs.

See all the Cadillac cars and SUVs here.

Year founded	1902
Annual sales	173,515 units (US, 2025)
Most popular model	Escalade
Official website	https://www.cadillac.com/

Chrysler

By overcoming a rocky road of history and ownership changes, Chrysler has been able to maintain a top position on American car company lists.

Although Chrysler’s history is full of unique sedans, roadsters, and coupes, it has settled into a niche market serving up some of the best minivans and sedans from American car brands.

We’ve listed the most recent Chrysler cars and prices here.

Year founded	1925
Annual sales	126,372 units (US, 2025)
Most popular model	Pacifica
Official website	https://www.chrysler.com/

Lincoln

Being part of the top American car brands is no easy feat. Lincoln has done so for more than a century, with some of its most iconic vehicles serving as official state limousines for Presidents of the United States.

Now dedicated to luxury SUV production, this American car logo will always be synonymous with the epitome of US leadership.

Interested in the brand? Check all the Lincoln models and prices.

Year founded	1917
Annual sales	106,868 units (US, 2025)
Most popular model	Nautilus
Official website	https://www.lincoln.com/

Rivian

While the term might give you mental images of grungy teenagers loitering around the local 7-Eleven, skateboards are becoming much more than that. Rivian has been working hard at creating an all-electric “skateboard” platform to be used across a wide lineup of new cars.

Deliveries began in 2021 and Rivian has since become one of only two genuinely new American carmakers shipping cars in volume. Growth has not been a straight line. Deliveries fell in 2025 after the federal EV tax credit expired, and a great deal now rests on the cheaper R2 that follows.

We have a dedicated brand page for Rivian if you want to learn more about their cars.

Year founded	2009
Annual sales	42,247 units (global deliveries, 2025)
Most popular model	R1T
Official website	https://rivian.com/

Karma

Willingness to take risks can have substantial rewards. Other times it can result in serious hardship. Karma Automotive has seen both sides of the coin through its short history, but remains dedicated to producing futuristic and stylish vehicles.

This American car brand continues to push forward with a growing pipeline of exclusive next-generation models available in hybrid and all-electric variants. Karma also draws attention to exciting concepts that exemplify the future of hypercars.

Explore the Karma cars and their prices in our dedicated brand page.

Year founded	2014
Annual sales	$201.3 million
Most popular model	GS-6
Official website	https://www.karmaautomotive.com/

Lucid

What began as an endeavor to supply electric vehicle platforms has transitioned into a new American car manufacturer. Lucid is pushing forward with luxury options producing over 1,000 horsepower and featuring a range of more than 500 miles.

While Lucid might not be on the list of the most expensive cars, its innovative design grabs attention like no other.

Learn more about Lucid and their models.

Year founded	2007
Annual sales	15,841 units (global deliveries, 2025)
Most popular model	Air
Official website	https://www.lucidmotors.com/

Bollinger Motors

In the past, electric vehicles were thought of as small, city-centric vehicles with limited payload and power. Bollinger Motors set out to prove that payload limitations could also be a thing of the past, with a pair of slab-sided electric trucks that looked like nothing else on the road.

The B1 SUV and B2 pickup never reached customers. Bollinger shelved both consumer models in 2022 to concentrate on the B4 commercial chassis cab, was placed into receivership in May 2025 in a dispute with founder Robert Bollinger, and ceased operations later that year under parent company Mullen. Its remaining trucks went to court-ordered auction.

Year founded	2014
Annual sales	Ceased operations
Most popular model	B4 chassis cab
Official website	N/A

Hennessey

While cooking from scratch can be worthwhile, sometimes using a prepared base goes a long way. Hennessey Performance has made most of its fame by turning already-powerful vehicles into ultra-high-performance monsters, such as their 1,000+ horsepower Jeeps, Ford Mustangs, and Dodge Challengers.

They’ve also created limited-production hypercars of their own, including the Venom F5 and Venom GT, both making our list of the fastest cars around.

Discover the latest Hennessey models and prices.

Year founded	1991
Annual sales	$12.1 million
Most popular model	Venom F5
Official website	https://www.hennesseyperformance.com/

SSC

Taking inspiration from the aerospace industry, this American car brand quietly went under the radar for some years. That all changed in 2007 when the SSC Ultimate Aero became the fastest production car in the world at 256.14 mph.

The streamlined design of the Tuatara model is paired with one of the most powerful V8 engines around. Its record run took some getting right. SSC claimed 331 mph in October 2020, then acknowledged the run had not happened as described after the footage was picked apart, and finally set a verified two-way production-car record of 282.9 mph at the Kennedy Space Center in January 2021.

SSC is also a proud member of our exclusive ranking of the fastest cars in the world.

Year founded	1999
Annual sales	$5 million
Most popular model	Tuatara
Official website	https://www.sscnorthamerica.com/

Rezvani

Describing the Rezvani Tank as a modified Jeep Wrangler is simply not enough. What might have once been a mass production vehicle is wholly transformed into a military-inspired Extreme Utility Vehicle.

The Tank features bulletproof windows and body, underside explosive protection, and thermal night vision. If you want to prepare for the end of the world, this is your best bet.

Year founded	2013
Annual sales	$5 million (est.)
Most popular model	Tank
Official website	https://www.rezvanimotors.com/

Trion

Some people are born with the need for speed. Trion’s founder Richard Patterson is one of those and he combined his passion with his automotive expertise to create a new breed of American supercars.

The aggressive styling is backed by the roar of a twin-turbo V8 with 2,000 horsepower.

Year founded	2012
Annual sales	$4.57 million
Most popular model	Nemesis
Official website	https://www.trionsupercars.com/

Saleen

When most people hear this American car maker’s name, they think of highly-modified Ford Mustangs. After all, these 800-horsepower beasts are the company’s bread-and-butter.

But Saleen has also made high-performance vehicles of their own, including the Saleen S7 of the early 21st century and the upcoming Saleen 1, designed to be a supercar in a compact sports car package.

Saleen is another brand that gained a place on our ranking of the fastest cars in the world.

Year founded	1983
Annual sales	$2.48 million
Most popular model	Saleen 1
Official website	https://www.saleen.com/

Faraday Future

Breaking into the competitive US car market is not for the timid. Faraday Future’s 2016 FFZERO1 concept car generated a lot of hype with promises of over 1,000 horsepower and lightning-fast speeds.

Although this American car brand has faced many challenges, the FF 91 model is now rolling off production lines and into garages. It’s an ultra-exclusive vehicle with incredible speed, style, and sophistication.

See all of Faraday Future’s cars and prices here.

Year founded	2014
Annual sales	In development
Most popular model	FF 91
Official website	https://www.ff.com/

DeLorean

As an American car brand that’s synonymous for venturing through time, this revival is doing its best to jump forward with a promising new EV.

The DeLorean Alpha5 is in development. And while it’s estimated to reach 60 mph in less than 3 seconds, the company is also making sure to carefully track its time to 88 mph.

Year founded	1995
Annual sales	In development
Most popular model	Alpha5
Official website	https://delorean.com

Lordstown

Lordstown Motors had excitement building around an innovative electric pickup truck using four in-wheel hub motors and a classic pickup design. The $52,500 Endurance was, on paper, a genuinely different idea about how to build a truck.

It never got the chance. After repeated leadership changes and collapsed financing deals, Lordstown filed for bankruptcy in 2023 having built roughly 31 trucks. It re-emerged in March 2024 as Nu Ride Inc., a New York shell company looking for business combinations rather than building vehicles, and the Endurance assets went back to Lordstown’s founder.

Year founded	2018
Annual sales	Discontinued after bankruptcy
Most popular model	Endurance
Official website	N/A

Canoo

Canoo drew a lot of attention with a genuinely original design language, a lifestyle vehicle shaped like nothing else and a van-like multi-purpose delivery vehicle. Purchase agreements were announced with major retailers, and for a while it looked like the vans might make it to the road.

Funding never followed. Canoo filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on 17 January 2025, ceasing operations the same day and laying off its remaining staff across Michigan, Oklahoma and Texas. Its assets were handed to a bankruptcy trustee for liquidation.

Year founded	2017
Annual sales	Ceased operations, Chapter 7 in 2025
Most popular model	MPDV
Official website	N/A

Rossion

This US car brand has never tried to please the mass market. It chooses to instead focus on mid-engine sports cars that will leave most cars in the dust.

The Rossion Q1 was the most popular model, with a twin-turbocharged Ford Duratec V6 engine that produced more than 500 horsepower and could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds.

Year founded	2007 (est.)
Annual sales	Unknown
Most popular model	Q1
Official website	N/A

Brammo

When a determined individual finds out he can’t fit inside of available supercars, he creates his own. At least that’s what Craig Bramscher did.

Unfortunately, after years of unsuccessfully tinkering with supercars, Brammo turned to electrified motorcycles. The company found some success before selling off the motorcycle division to Polaris in 2015. The remainder of the assets were sold to Cummins in 2017.

Year founded	2002
Annual sales	Unknown
Most popular model	Empulse
Official website	N/A