Car Companies’ Made in USA Marketing
TINA.org investigated numerous automotive companies operating in the U.S. and found that many of them deceptively market certain vehicles as “built,” “manufactured” or “made” in the United States, when, in reality, the vehicles assembled in the U.S. are made using imported parts.
Brands
Timeline
2025
April 8
TINA.org sends a letter to Stellantis regarding new commercials recently released for Dodge, Ram and Jeep deceptively claiming their vehicles are “built” and/or “made” in the United States when they are actually assembled in the U.S. using a significant amount of imported parts.
Within hours, the commercials are removed from YouTube.
2022
November 3-10
Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Ford respond to TINA.org’s letter, with each company removing one of the marketing materials flagged by TINA.org from publication. Mazda also removes one of the flagged marketing materials from publication.
November 1
TINA.org sends letters to BMW, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla and Toyota notifying the companies of TINA.org’s findings.
Evidence
2022 BMW Made in USA Database
2022 Ford Made in USA Database
2022 Honda Made in USA Database
2022 Mazda Made in USA Database
2022 Mercedes-Benz Made in USA Database
2022 Tesla Made in USA Database
2022 Toyota Made in USA Database
2023 BMW X Range Made in USA Marketing Database
2023 BMW X Range Origin Database
Featured
Automakers Advertising Made in USA Cars Need to Pump the Brakes
TINA.org puts the auto industry on notice.
The Latest
Stellantis pulls Jeep, Ram and Dodge tariff-response ads after built-in-USA scrutiny
E.J. Schultz, Ad Age
Stellantis Steers Away from Deceptive Made in USA Claims
MADISON, CONN. April 9, 2025 — Dutch automaker Stellantis has paused its new “American Born” campaign after getting called out by consumer advocacy organization truthinadvertising.org (TINA.org). Released in the wake…
Jeep, Dodge and Ram Pump the Brakes on Built in USA Claims Following TINA.org Inquiry
New ads came and went amid increased attention on U.S. auto manufacturing industry.
Stellantis to Revise Ads Saying Its Cars Are Built in America
Patrick Coffee, The Wall Street Journal
Tariffs Create Opening for ‘Made in America’ Ads—With Carefully Chosen Words
Patrick Coffee, The Wall Street Journal
TINA.org Reports BMW to Regulators for Deceptive Made in USA Claims
MADISON, CONN. Oct. 18, 2023—Ad watchdog truthinadvertising.org (TINA.org) has filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission against BMW for making deceptive Made in USA claims. Despite advertising that its…
TINA.org Notifies Automakers Deceptively Marketing Made in USA Vehicles
MADISON, CONN. November 7, 2022 – No Super Bowl is complete without at least one car commercial teeming with red, white and blue flags and blatant nods to Americana with…
Consumer Alert: ‘Made in USA’ Cars
Exercise caution when car ads say ‘made’ or ‘built’ in the U.S.