However, the modern world is being ruled by foreign automakers not only in the International market but also in the domestic market of America. Therefore, people prefer to buy foreign car brands as they are not only of better quality but also available at affordable prices.
In this article, we will explore the complete list of foreign car brands available in America and the factors behind their increasing popularity.
Summary
- American car manufacturers have dominated the world for quite an extended period.
- However, they have lost their ground massively in the domestic and international markets.
- Many other car brands have now taken the place of American car brands.
- These brands belong to countries like South Korea, Japan, Germany, Italy, U.K., and Sweden.
- Although these countries have many car manufacturing brands, only a few are available in the American car market.
- Hyundai, Kia, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Alfa-Romeo, Fiat, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Jaguar, Bentley, and Aston Martin are some of the names that belong to foreign countries yet rule the hearts of many Americans.
American Car Brands
Nowadays, most American vehicles are produced by General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. These companies have dominated the market since the 1920s (2). American car brands have ruled the world for an extended period. However, due to the massive decline in popularity, very few brands could survive to live up to the modern day. Hundreds of car manufacturers in America could not withstand the hard times of the Great Depression and the Second World War. General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Tesla, Chevrolet, GMC, Dodge, Cadillac, Buick, AM General, DeLorean, Polaris, Panoz LLC, and Zimmer are the remaining brands that are rendering their services to Americans.
Foreign Car Brands in the US
On 18 October 1970, William D. Smith wrote an article in the New York Times (4). The article was titled Foreign Cars Mount New Invasion, and it presented the following words,
“The makers of foreign cars are building attractive facilities and are spending large sums to sink their roots deep in the United States. They believe that they are riding the wave of the future and that there is little Detroit can do to slow them down.”
These words signify that American car manufacturers were intentionally or unintentionally unable to provide their best to the consumers. Considering this an incredible opportunity, foreign automakers started dumping considerable sums in the U.S. and provided the consumers with the best facilities and safety measures they desired.
Today automotive industry is led by automakers hailing from countries like South Korea, Japan, Italy, Germany, England, and Sweden. Most of these automakers have also set up their United States plants and are providing cheap, economical, multi-featured cars to the American people. Let’s look at foreign car brands in the U.S. and the countries they belong to.
South Korean Car Brands
South Korea is one of the largest car producers in the world. It started its journey in 1958 by assembling its first car (6). Shortly after, many of its companies working in other industries began entering into the automotive manufacturing business by seeking help and cooperation from foreign companies. As a result, the following are available in the U.S. from all Korean car brands.
HYUNDAI
HYUNDAI Motor Company was founded in 1967 and entered the American automotive market in 1986 (7, 8). It has gained massive popularity in the country and sold 738,000 vehicles in America in 2021 (9).
KIA
Kia is another famous brand from South Korea. It was founded in 1944 and made its way to the U.S. automotive market in 1992. In 2021, it sold around 652,910 vehicles to American consumers (10).
GENESIS
As compared to others, GENESIS is a young car manufacturer. It was initially founded as a division of HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, aimed to make luxury cars; however, since 4 November 2015, it has been working as an independent brand. GENISIS entered the U.S. automotive market in 2016 and has garnered great respect. Its sales are expected to reach 19.1K passenger vehicles by 2027 (11).
Japanese Car Brands
It was 1899 when the first car was imported to Japan. However, it started manufacturing vehicles in 1902. According to the global ranking, the Japanese car industry topped in vehicle production volume and quality in 2021. Although there are many car brands in Japan, the following are ruling the American automotive market:
HONDA
HONDA MOTOR COMPANY was founded in 1948. It is currently the fourth-largest car manufacturer in the world. HONDA entered the U.S. car market in 1959 and earned tremendous respect. It sold 1,466,630 vehicles to American consumers in 2021 (12).
TOYOTA
Toyota scores first among the most loved brands in the Japanese automotive industry. According to the current global automotive and mobility rankings, it stands first. Toyota was founded in 1937 and entered the U.S. car market in 1957. According to rough estimates, it sold 2,332,262 vehicles to American consumers in 2021(13).
NISSAN
Nissan motor company was founded in 1933. It entered the American auto market in 1960 and took little time to make its place among the famous brands. In 2021, it sold 977,639 vehicles to American consumers (14).
SUBARU
Subaru was founded in 1953 and entered the American automotive market in 1968. Although Subaru failed to garner popularity throughout these years, it survived brilliantly. According to estimates, it sold 506,300 vehicles in the U.S. in 2021(15).
MAZDA
Mazda Motor Corporation was founded in 1920. It entered the U.S. car market in 1970 and has been doing good business in the U.S. According to the estimates, Mazda sold 332,756 vehicles to American consumers in 2021 (16).
MITSUBISHI
Mitsubishi Motors was founded in 1970 and entered American land in 1982. Mitsubishi sold 102,037 vehicles to Americans in 2021 (17). The number of cars sold conspicuously signifies how little popularity the company has in the U.S.
Italian Car Brands
The automotive industry is one of those industries upon which Italy relies heavily on revenue generation. Italy started making cars in the late 1880s and has been the birthplace of many big names in vehicle manufacturing. Although it has many car brands, the following remained successful in making their place among the brands that American people like to purchase.
FIAT
Fiat was founded 121 years ago, precisely in the year 1899. It started exporting its cars to the U.S. in 1908. Although Fiat lost popularity in the past, the Fiat CEO has announced that the company is preparing for a comeback soon.
ALFA ROMEO
Alfa Romeo is a luxury car manufacturer and was founded in 1910. It started exporting its cars to the U.S. in 1961 through its dealers. So far, it has no production plant in the U.S. However, according to the estimates, it remained successful in selling more than 18,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2021 (18).’
MASERATI
It is an Italian luxury vehicle established in 1914. It makes SUVs, Luxury Sedans, and High-Performance Cars. Being very expensive, it cannot sell a significant volume of its vehicles. However, according to an official media release, Maserati sold 24,269 vehicles worldwide in 2021. Moreover, entire North America and China contributed 2.7% to this sale (19).
FERRARI
Ferrari, established in 1947, makes luxury sports cars. The United States started importing vehicles from this brand in 1954. According to estimates, in 2021, it sold 2831 cars to American customers (20).
LAMBORGHINI
Like Maserati and Ferrari, Lamborghini also makes high-performance luxury sports cars. Lamborghini was established in 1963. According to estimates, it sold 2942 vehicles in the U.S. in 2021 (21).
German Car Brands
Germany is the birthplace of modern cars. German cars are world-renowned cars for their comfort, reliability, and performance. Among all the German car brands, the following are used in the U.S.
AUDI
Audi was founded in 1909 and is popularly recognized for its luxury cars. It entered the U.S. car market 51 years ago and has gained immense popularity. In 2021, Audi sold 196,038 vehicles to American Consumers (22).
BMW
BMW is also a manufacturer of luxury vehicles and was founded in 1916. BMW entered the American car market in 1994 and set up its first plant. BMW sold 336,644 units in 2021 to American consumers (23).
MERCEDEZ- BENZ
Mercedes -Benz was founded in 1926. It has developed its facilities in almost all the big counties. Though its production in the USA started in 1965, its importation began in 1952. According to estimates, Mercedes-Benz sold 329,574 cars to American consumers in 2021 (24).
VOLKSWAGEN
Volkswagen Motor Company was founded in 1937. It entered the U.S. auto market in 1950. According to estimates, it will sell 411.5K passenger vehicles to the U.S. by 2027 (25).
PORSCHE
Porsche is known for its high-performance sports cars and was established in 1931. Like the rest of the world, it is trendy in the U.S. According to estimates, Porsche remained successful in selling 70,025 vehicles to American consumers in 2021 (26).
BUGATTI
Bugatti was founded in 1909 in Molsheim, France, which was part of Germany then. Bugatti is a world-famous luxury car for its high performance. According to some estimates, Bugatti sold 63 vehicles worldwide in 2021 (27).
British Car Brands
British is home to many car manufacturing brands like other car manufacturing countries. Following are the brands that American prefer to own.
JAGUAR
Jaguar was originally a British automotive manufacturing company, later purchased by an Indian automotive company called TATA. As a result, it is primarily being produced in the U.K. According to the estimates, Jaguar unit sales will reach 29.1K passenger vehicles in the U.S. by 2027 (28).
ASTON MARTIN
Aston Martin is widely recognized and famous for its luxury cars. It was founded in 1913. Aston Martin started selling vehicles in America in 1950 and is very much loved to date. According to estimates, it will sell 4.0K passenger vehicles to the U.S. by 2027 (29).
BENTLEY
Bentley Motors Limited is famously recognized for its SUVs and luxury cars. It was founded in 1919 and has garnered enormous respect throughout the world. The brand sold 4,212 vehicles to Americans in 2021 (30).
MINI
Although the brand is nowadays owned by the German brand BMW, it belonged to the British someday in the past. It entered the American car market in 2002. The company sold 29,930 cars to Americans in 2021 (31).
ROLLS- ROYCE
Rolls-Royce is a luxury car manufacturer which was founded in 1904. It entered the U.S. car market in 1921 and is very popular among Americans. According to estimates, it sold 3910 cars to American consumers in 2021 (32).
LOTUS
Lotus is a car manufacturer which produces sports cars. It was founded in 1948 and is very much loved worldwide. Although the exact number of Lotus sales in the American car market is unknown, it is reported that most of the Lotus cars are sold in America.
Swedish Car Brands
Automotive manufacturing is considered an essential part of the Swedish economy. Though there are many car brands in Sweden, Volvo could make its way to the hearts of Americans.
VOLVO
Volvo was established in 1927. Volvo started selling cars to Americans in 1955. It has established 12 manufacturing and remanufacturing plants in the U.S. According to estimates, Volvo sold 122,173 cars to Americans in 2021 (33).
