Honda Ridgeline ranks among most American-made trucks

The 2026 Honda Ridgeline stands out as one of the most American-made vehicles available. The pickup earned fifth place in an annual ranking that measures where cars are built and the origin of their parts.

The Ridgeline is assembled in Lincoln, Alabama, and secured its spot in the 2026 American-Made Index, which evaluated 379 models before narrowing the list to 100. The ranking goes beyond final assembly locations, also considering the percentage of U.S. and Canadian parts, engine and transmission origins, and the size of the domestic manufacturing workforce.

Honda’s Alabama plant produces more than just the Ridgeline. The facility also builds the Odyssey minivan, which ranked sixth, and the Passport SUV, which placed tenth. The larger Pilot SUV, also made in Lincoln, came in 32nd.

The index highlights how automakers have embedded their supply chains across North America.

For buyers, the ranking challenges the idea that foreign automakers build their vehicles overseas. The Ridgeline’s position ahead of some trucks may come as a surprise.

Not all shoppers prioritize where a vehicle is built. Some focus on cost, efficiency, or brand preference. Others might choose trucks assembled outside the U.S. for personal reasons. But for those who value domestic manufacturing, the Ridgeline’s ranking serves as a key advantage—one Honda has used in its advertising.

Other automakers have adopted similar strategies. Toyota, Hyundai, and Volkswagen all operate U.S. plants. Even brands owned by Chinese companies, like Volvo and Polestar, have moved some production to the U.S. The shift responds to economic incentives and political pressure to localize supply chains.

The Ridgeline’s top-five finish is particularly notable given its niche status. As a unibody pickup, it competes with models like the Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado. Its Alabama assembly gives it an advantage for buyers seeking a practical truck with strong domestic ties.

Critics argue the index’s methodology has flaws. Some believe it overemphasizes factors like U.S. parts content while ignoring others, such as corporate ownership. A vehicle built entirely in America by a foreign-owned company may still send profits abroad. Others note the index doesn’t consider where raw materials, like steel or lithium, originate.

Honda has not addressed the ranking directly, though the company has long highlighted its U.S. manufacturing presence.

For now, the Ridgeline’s ranking shows that the distinction between “foreign” and “domestic” vehicles has blurred. What matters more to many buyers is where the truck is built—and how many jobs it supports.