14 Top American Car Brands [As of 2024]

May 3, 202411 min read

Nearly 75% of the US population have their own car, and another 20% have a company or family car. This high vehicle demand in the country is driving growth in the automotive industry. 

In terms of volume, the United States is the world’s second-largest motor vehicle manufacturer (after China), making over 10 million cars a year. [1]

In 2023, the automotive industry in the US was valued at $1.56 trillion, and it is projected to exceed $2.06 trillion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 3.5%. [2]

While the top-selling American car brands are owned by the “Big Three” manufacturers (General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis), we have also featured other brands that capture the diversity and innovation present in the automotive market. 

Did you know? 

As of 2024, there are around 283 million vehicles in the United States. The most common type is trucks, with almost 171 million private and commercial trucks registered, compared to 102 million registrations for cars. [2]

11. Lucid Motors

Founded in 2007
Majority Ownership: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (61.1%)

Production Output: 8,428 units (2023)
Annual Revenue: $595 million (in 2023)

Initially focused on battery technology, Lucid Motors began developing luxury electric vehicles in 2014. Today, its flagship model, the Lucid Air, competes with high-end cars like the Porsche Taycan and the Tesla Model S. 

In 2022, the Saudi Arabian government revealed its plan to purchase up to 100,000 electric vehicles from Lucid Motors over the next 10 years. They chose Lucid because the company is building its first manufacturing facility outside the US in Saudi Arabia, aiming to make 150,000 vehicles a year.

In 2023, Lucid partnered with Aston Martin to help make electric motors and batteries for Aston Martin’s upcoming fully electric models. In exchange, Lucid will get cash payments and a 3.7% share in Astron, which is worth together $232 million. [3]

In the same year, Lucid made $595.3 million in annual revenue and sold 6,001 cars. They end up meeting the higher end of the 2023 annual production guidance of 8,500 vehicles. Looking ahead to 2024, they plan to produce around 9,000 cars. [4]

10. Rivian

Founded in 2009
Majority Ownership: Amazon (18.1%)

Production Output: 57,232 units (2023)
Annual Revenue: $4.43 billion (2023)

Rivian focuses on adventure-oriented electric vehicles. Its vision is to create electric vehicles that combine sustainability with high performance and ruggedness. 

Its flagship model, The Rivian R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV, are built on the same platform and share several components. Both these electric vehicles offer long mileage and impressive off-road capability. 

In 2023, Rivian generated $4.4 billion in annual revenue, a 167% increase from the previous year. Despite this growth, the company remained unprofitable, with an operating loss of $5.739 billion, showing a 16% decline compared to 2022. [5]

9. Chrysler

Chrysler US annual sales units | Credit: Good Car Bad Car 

Founded in 1925
Parent: Stellantis

Annual Revenue: $6.9 billion (2022)

Founded by Walter Chrysler in 1925, Chrysler quickly became one of the “Big Three” American automobile companies, alongside General Motors and Ford. Their early success was fueled by innovations like the introduction of hydraulic brakes and the development of the first aerodynamically designed car, the Chrysler Airflow. 

In 2022, Chrysler made $6.9 billion worldwide, with approximately 77% of that coming from their Minivan line. [6]

Chrysler Pacifica, in particular, is their most popular minivan offering families comfort, advanced features, and versatility. In 2023, Chrysler sold a total of 120,554 Pacifica minivans in the US, with about 20% of those being the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, which ranked as the third best-selling plug-in hybrid in the country. [7]

During the same year, Chrysler saw a significant increase in sales in the US, with 133,839 vehicles sold, marking a 19% rise from the previous year. [8]

8. Dodge

Dodge’s electric muscle car

Founded in 1900
Parent: Stellantis

Annual Revenue: $14.1 billion (2022)

Dodge has a rich heritage and legacy in the automotive industry, with a history of producing powerful and performance-oriented vehicles. One of their top models, the Durango, has amassed sales of over two million units since it was first introduced in 1998.

Another iconic Dodge model, the Challenger, dominated the muscle car market in 2022, outselling competitors like the Camaro and Mustang with 55,060 units sold. [9]

In the same year, Dodge generated $14.1 billion in annual revenue. The biggest revenue driver was the Executive Cars segment, making up 38% of their total revenue. The second largest segment was SUVs, contributing 37% to Dodge’s earnings. [10]

In 2023, the company sold a total of 199,458 vehicles compared to 190,795 vehicles in 2022. While the numbers look great, if you zoom out a bit, the sales have been reduced to half over the last 10 years. [11]

7. Cadillac

Founded in 1902
Parent: General Motors

Annual Revenue: $16 billion (2022)

Since its inception, Cadillac has been synonymous with luxury and elegance. Their vehicles are renowned for their striking design, attention to detail, and luxurious interiors. 

In 2022, the company earned $16 billion in annual revenue, with approximately 36% coming from sales of large cars and 32% from luxury cars. The Cadillac Escalade and the Cadillac XT5 stood out as the top-selling cars of the year, with 40,250 units and 27,340 units sold, respectively. [12]

The following year, they sold 147,214 vehicles in the USA, 15,483 in Canada, and 1,150 in Mexico. [13]

Looking ahead, unit sales are projected to grow to 354,400 vehicles by 2028, with revenue expected to surpass $22.9 billion by the same year. [14]

6. Buick

Wildcat EV concept by Buick

Founded in 1899
Parent: General Motors

Annual Revenue: $24.7 billion (2022)

Being one of the oldest automobile brands in the world, Buick has a rich heritage and legacy in the automotive industry. It has positioned itself as a mid-tier luxury brand within the General Motors lineup. 

Buick operates in only two markets worldwide: China and North America, with China being its largest market. [15]

With over 70% of sales coming from China, Buick sees it as a key growth market for the future. The company is heavily investing in China and is optimistic about increasing its market share in the country.

In 2022, Buick sold 653,122 vehicles in China and 103,468 in the USA, generating $24.7 billion in annual revenue. Notably, 34% of revenue came from the SUVs segment, while 21% came from the Minivans segment. [16]

In 2023, Buick witnessed significant growth in the US market, selling 166,852 units, marking a notable 61.26% increase from the previous year.

5. Jeep

Founded in 1941
Parent: Stellantis

Annual Revenue: $44.3 billion (2022)

Jeep is an iconic American automotive brand known for manufacturing rugged, off-road vehicles. Its product lineup consists primarily of SUVs and off-road vehicles, ranging from compact to large-size models. 

Jeep Compass, for example, is a compact SUV that offers a balance of comfort and off-road driving experience. It is one of the best-selling Jeep models in 140 countries. 

In 2022, the company made $44.3 billion worldwide. Most of that money, about 93%, came from selling SUVs. Pickup trucks were the next biggest thing, making up 7% of their sales. [17]

Their revenue is expected to stay about the same for the next five years. Estimates suggest they might grow by 0.07% each year from 2024 to 2028, making $51 billion in annual revenue by 2028. [18]

4. General Motors Truck Company

GMC Sierra 1500

Founded in 1911
Parent: General Motors

Annual Sales: 563,692 units (2022)

General Motors Truck Company (GMC) is a division of General Motors (GM) that focuses on the production of trucks, vans, and SUVs. These vehicles have a strong presence in the North American market, where they compete with other domestic and foreign manufacturers. 

Models like the Sierra, Terrain, Yukon, Canyon, and Acadia are highly popular and contribute significantly to GM’s overall sales. In 2022, the GMC Sierra and GMC Terrain emerged as the top-selling models in the USA, with 241,521 and 86,568 units sold, respectively.

In 2022, GMC made a major move by launching its first all-electric off-road pickup, the Hummer EV, as part of GM’s $35 billion investment plan in electric vehicles by 2025. The Hummer EV Pickup competes directly with the Tesla Cybertruck and has garnered praise from both consumers and critics. [19]

In 2023, GMC sold a total of 563,692 vehicles in the US compared to 517,663 in the previous year. [20]

3. Chevrolet

Founded in 1911
Parent: General Motors

Annual Revenue: $72.6 billion (2022)

Chevrolet, one of GM’s flagship brands, manufactures a range of vehicles, from economy cars to high-performance sports cars and trucks. Most of its vehicles are known for offering excellent value for money, with competitive pricing, fuel-efficient engines, and a reputation for reliability and longevity. 

The Chevrolet Silverado (full-size pickup truck) and Chevrolet Equinox (compact SUV) are among its most popular models. In 2023, they sold 555,148 Silverado trucks and 212,701 Equinox SUVs, highlighting their strong performance in the market.

In 2022, Chevrolet made $72.6 billion in annual revenue, while the total automotive market amounted to $1.7 trillion. About 27% of Chevrolets came from their pickup trucks, and 18% came from their SUVs segment. [21]

In 2023, the company sold more than 1,716,268 vehicles in the US and 1,518,032 in Canada, compared to 1,518,032 and 114,435 units in the previous year, respectively. [22]

2. Tesla 

Founded in 2003
Majority Ownership: Elon Musk (12.89%)

Production Output: 1,845,985 vehicles (2023)
Annual Revenue: $96.8 billion (2023)

Tesla has been a pioneer in EV technology, consistently pushing the boundaries of innovation. Besides EVs, the company also develops and sells energy products such as solar panels and energy storage solutions like the Powerwall and Powerpack.

In 2022, Tesla achieved remarkable sales, with over 1.7 million units of the Model 3 and Model Y sold globally. The Model Y emerged as the best-selling plug-in electric vehicle, with worldwide unit sales reaching 771,300. [23]

The following year, in 2023, Tesla’s annual revenue surged to $96.8 billion, an 18.8% increase compared to 2022. The automotive segment contributed significantly to this revenue, generating over $78.5 billion.

With a gross profit of $17.6 billion, Tesla dominated the battery EV market with a 19.9% share. Currently, Tesla is the world’s largest automobile company by market capitalization, with a market cap of over $550 billion. [24]

However, Tesla was surpassed as the world’s top-selling EV maker for the first time by Chinese automaker BYD. While Tesla sold 484,000 cars in the fourth quarter of 2023, BYD reported record sales of 526,000 battery-only vehicles for the same period. [25]

1. Ford Motor Company

Founded in 1903
Majority shareholders: Vanguard Group Inc (8.7%)

Production Output: 4,400,000 units (2023)
Annual Revenue: $176.2 billion (in 2022)

Ford Motor Company revolutionized the automotive industry by introducing mass production methods, such as the assembly line, substantially reducing manufacturing costs and making automobiles accessible to the average consumer. 

Today, Ford has a diverse lineup of vehicles, including cars, SUVs, trucks, and electric vehicles.  

In 2022, the company doubled down on its commitment to EVs by launching a new division called Ford Model E, solely dedicated to electric vehicles. This division, treated as a startup by company officials, aims to turn profitable by 2026.

During the same year, Ford unveiled plans to invest $3.7 billion to employ 6,200 union workers at assembly plants across Missouri, Ohio, and Michigan, with the goal of selling two million EVs annually by 2026. [26]

As of 2023, the Ford F-Series maintained its position as America’s best-selling truck, with the F-150 Hybrid leading as the top-selling full-size hybrid truck and the Ford F-150 Lightning emerging as the top-selling electric truck. In total, Ford sold 750,789 units of the F-Series in 2023.

During the same year, Ford Motor generated $176.19 billion in annual revenue, with $25.64 billion gross profit. [27]

Other Small American Car Companies 

12. Shelby American 

Shelby Super Snake

Founded in 1962
Parent: Carroll Shelby International, Inc.

Shelby American produces high-performance vehicles and components, particularly in collaboration with Ford Motor Company. It offers modern performance upgrades and accessories for various Ford vehicles, including Super Duty trucks and the Mustang F-150. 

The company’s legacy is closely tied to its involvement in motorsports, especially in racing. It has achieved remarkable success on the track, winning many prestigious races and awards, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Shelby Daytona Coupe.

According to Zippa, the company has an annual revenue of $5.6 million and employs 75 people. This translates to a revenue-per-employee ratio of $74,667. [28]

13. Hennessey Performance Engineering

Founded in 1991
Owner: John Hennessey

As the name suggests, Hennessey Performance Engineering produces high-performance vehicles and offers aftermarket upgrades. While the company was initially focused on tunning and modifying vehicles for enhanced performance, it later expanded its offering to include complete vehicle builds and limited production supercars. 

Some of its most notable models include the Venom GT and Hennessey CTS-V, which are hand-built to deliver extreme performance and speed. The Venom GT, for instance, could go from 0–186 mph in 10 seconds, and only 24 units were built, each costing $1.6 million. 

So far, they have re-engineered 10,000+ vehicles for performance enthusiasts across the world. With a team of 90 dedicated members,  Hennessey makes roughly $15 million a year. [29]

14. AM General 

Founded in 1974
Parent: KPS Capital Partners

AM General is perhaps best known for manufacturing the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) commonly known as the military Humvee or civilian Hummer. 

The Humvee has been extensively used by the US military and other armed forces across the world for different purposes, such as troop transport, reconnaissance, and logistics.  

Besides military vehicles, the company also produces commercial vehicles and components. One notable example is the Mobility Vehicle-1 (MV-1), a wheelchair-accessible vehicle built for passengers with disabilities. 

According to RocketReach, the company employs over 950 people and generates $175 million in annual revenue. [30]

Read More

11 Top Chinese Car Brands | Detailed Overview

13 Top German Car Brands with Stats  

13 Italian Car Brands

Sources Cited and Additional References

  1. Production stats, 2023 Production Statistics by country, International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers
  2. Swapnil Palwel, US automotive industry overview, Market Research Future
  3. Nick Carey, Aston Martin turns to US EV company Lucid for high-tech help, Reuters
  4. Financial Results, Lucid announces fourth quarter and full year 2023 results, Lucid Motors
  5. Investors Relations, Rivian releases Q4 2023 and full-year 2023 production figures, Rivian
  6. Market insights report, Chrysler: market data & analysis, Statista
  7. Stellantis North America, FCA reports Q4 and full-year 2023 sales results, PR Newswire
  8. Chrysler Sales Figures, Monthly and Yearly sales figures for Chrysler in the US, GoodCarBadCar
  9. Dodge blog, Dodge Challenger secures top-selling muscle car of 2022, Miami Lakes Automall
  10. Market insights report, Dodge: market data & analysis, Statista
  11. Justin Fischer, Are Jeep, Chrysler, and Dodge headed For the graveyard?, CarEdge
  12. Cadillac Sales Figures, Monthly and Yearly sales figures for Cadillac in the US, GoodCarBadCar
  13. Company sales, Cadillac sales by country and year, GM Authority 
  14. Market Insights, Cadillac (passenger cars) worldwide, Statista
  15. Buick Sales Figures, Monthly and Yearly sales figures for Buick in the US, GoodCarBadCar
  16. Market insights report, Buick: market data & analysis, Statista 
  17. Market insights report, Jeep: market data & analysis, Statista 
  18. Market Insights, Jeep (passenger cars) worldwide, Statista
  19. Newsroom, GM will boost EV investments to $35 billion through 2025, GM
  20. GMC Sales Figures, Monthly and Yearly sales figures for GMC in the US, GoodCarBadCar
  21. Market insights report, Chevrolet: market data & analysis, Statista 
  22. Company sales, Chevrolet sales by country and year, GM Authority 
  23. Vehicles & Road Traffic, Best-selling plug-in electric vehicle models worldwide, Statista
  24. Investors Relations, Tesla releases Q4 and full year 2023 financial results, Tesla
  25. Energy Sector, Tesla overtaken by China’s BYD as world’s biggest EV maker, Financial Times
  26. Jaclyn Trop, Ford wants to restructure its dealership model to boost EV sales, TechCrunch
  27. Company Earnings, Ford delivers solid 2023; Provides outlook for healthy 2024, Ford
  28. Company Revenue, The Shelby Group’s revenue, Zippa
  29. Company Overview, Hennessey Performance, Zoominfo
  30. Company Overview, AM General LLC information, RocketReach
Written by
Varun Kumar

I am a professional technology and business research analyst with more than a decade of experience in the field. My main areas of expertise include software technologies, business strategies, competitive analysis, and staying up-to-date with market trends.

I hold a Master's degree in computer science from GGSIPU University. If you'd like to learn more about my latest projects and insights, please don't hesitate to reach out to me via email at [email protected].

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