Suzuki announced the upcoming GSX-R1000 SE at the Indy MotoGP as part of their 50th birthday celebration. Today, at the AIMExpo in Orlando, Florida they released these additional details about this special edition GSX-R1000.
For this new SE model, Suzuki made some aesthetic changes to the GSX-R1000.
This special edition's features include:
- Matte white/silver body panels with special graphics
- A polished and chrome plated frame
- Silver polished rims with blue spokes
- Blue anodized front fork adjuster, front damper bolt fork parts comp, chain adjuster, steering stem nut, brake lever, and clutch lever
- Blue colored clutch cover, generator cover, engine sprocket cover, and rear shock spring
- Special speedometer panel design
- Special serial number plate
- Special key fob
- Blue colored fuel tank cap and seat
- New "S" emblem on the fuel tank and on the front upper fork bracket
RideApart contributor Susanna Schick wrote about the unveiling of the 2014 Suzuki GSX-R1000 SE at MotoGP this year, alongside the Ultimate Busa project. These additional photos provide a little more insight for those of us not in Orlando this week. Only 100 of these GSX-R1000 SE motorcycles will be made, with 50 designated for the U.S. and the other 50 designated for the world market.
Initially the GSX-R1000 SE got a negative reaction, but we think the matte white paired with the blue covered clutch, generator, and engine sprocket cover look pretty cool. Personally, I'm a fan of the blue on the gauge as well.
What do you think? This thing growing on anyone else or am I the only one?
Related Links:
Events: Suzukis 50th Birthday Party
Review: 2013 Suzuki GSX-R1000 1 Million
Badassery: Here's a picture of Guy Martin jumping a GSX-R
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Whether you're an avid hobbyist or are looking for a great gift for your child or grandchild, there are a wide array of rugged and surprisingly fast remote control (RC) trucks on the market that will fit the bill. Kids and adults alike love tearing up tough terrain with a durable and rugged RC truck. It's a great excuse to get outside and enjoy some fresh air, either with friends or on your own.
If you're in the market for a new RC truck, you might be shocked to see the plethora of options on the market. Not to worry—we have you covered and will give you plenty of clarity with our well-equipped buying guide and top product reviews. We'll have you tearing up the turf in no time with a fast and beastly RC truck that won't leave you stranded.
Why Trust Us
Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, "wisdom of the crowd" assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
Learn more
Benefits of RC Trucks
They're fun. For some people, the joy of playing with trucks doesn't go away with age. These toys are fast, powerful, and entertaining for children and adults of all ages.
They're tough. The best off-road remote control trucks can take a beating and long outlast cheaper models. You can drive them over difficult terrain and big rocks without worrying about them imploding.
They're great for beginners or experts. You don't need to be a pro to have fun with a remote-control truck. They are designed for newbies as well as experts, depending on what type you purchase.
Types of RC Trucks
Nitro Engine
Some of thebest-rated remote control trucks are nitro vehicles. They have a ton of power, which makes them really fast and loud. However, this type of remote-control truck requires a lot more maintenance (as well as money) than the alternative. If you enjoy tinkering on the truck's inner workings and want something that is powerful, then this is the type of toy you need.
Electric Engine
Thetop electric RC trucks tend to be geared towards entry-level hobbyists. If you are not mechanically inclined, this type of remote-controlled vehicle may be the better option. The batteries are long-lasting and charge quickly. If you want a dependable truck and don't want to spend a lot of time getting it running properly, then electric is the way to go.
Brushed Versus Brushless
Brushed trucks are open to the environment, which cools them down. However, this can result in dirt and debris getting stuck in the components. Brushless trucks are more expensive, but they are also more durable and efficient. One downside is that brushless can overheat because they're susceptible to high temperatures.
Monster
The best electric RC monster trucks are known for their enormous tires and suspension. RC monster trucks, in particular, can handle rough terrain and most anything that gets in their way. While they can climb and traverse all types of surfaces, they aren't very fast.
Stadium
Stadium trucks have an open-wheel setup like a buggy. They have decent suspension and a truck-style body, and they are good all-around vehicles that can tackle many different types of terrains. However, they can't handle extremely hard terrain like their monster truck counterparts.
Short Course
These trucks are built for speed. They are slimmer than stadium trucks and buggies and have smaller wheels. Their suspension and ground clearance is not as good as other types of RC vehicles. Overall, they're designed for flat surfaces and don't traverse rough terrain very well.
Top Brands
Traxxas
The nation's best selling RC truck manufacturer is Traxxas, which is based in McKinney, Texas. The company has been building ready-to-race radio-controlled performance machines since 1986. Traxxas has more than 25 performance models under $350. Some of its top products are the Traxxas 58094-1 2WD Slash Short Course Truck, and the Traxxas Stampede 1/10 2WD Monster Truck.
Redcat Racing
Redcat Racing, based in Phoenix, Ariz., was founded in 2005. They design ready-to-run, gas, nitro, and electric powered remote controlled surface vehicles that come fully assembled and ready to run right out of the box. One popular product is the Redcat Racing Volcano EPX.
Axial Racing
Founded in 2005, Axial was acquired by Horizon Hobby, LLC in 2018 and is based in Champaign, Ill. The company manufactures high-end remote control products and accessories for beginners to racers that focus on performance, durability, and style. We recommend its Axial SCX10 II Trail Honcho 4WD RC Rock Crawler.
RC Truck Pricing
$15 to $30: RC trucks in this price range are not very durable and tend to have a very short battery life (typically 15 minutes). They are a good holiday toy but won't last very long.
$30 to $70: You can find a variety of remote-controlled trucks in this price range, but don't expect to get anything that's made very well unless you pay a little more.
$70 to $150: The best electric RC truck for the money is not cheap. The more you pay, the better the truck. Expect the RC trucks in this price range to be made of higher quality materials.
$150 to $400: High-end RC trucks take a bit of commitment. If you know you want to stick with the hobby then it's worth investing in a high-quality product that is well made, waterproof, fast, and powerful.
$500 and up: You can spend upwards of $1,000 for a premium RC truck. However, you can still find a lot of enjoyment in a less expensive model that still provides a lot of features.
Key Features
Battery Life
The best radio controlled truckshave one of two battery options: Ni-Mh or Li-Po. The former is easier to use and meant for beginners but isn't as powerful. If you are more experienced, then Li-Po batteries are something to consider. They produce higher speeds but are more expensive. Some brands only last for 15 minutes, while others run much longer on a single charge.
Speed
Thebest RC race truck is built for speed. They are more lightweight in design; however, their materials tend to be less durable. These vehicles are made to go fast, execute quick turns, and ride smoothly on race tracks. One thing to pay attention to is whether the steering and controls are easy to use at high speeds.
Durability
You want your RC truck to last a long time so you don't have to spend money to replace it. The best way to do this is to select a product that is made of high-quality parts. Thebest remote control trucks will be very strong with resistant chassis. You want to ensure that the internal components are protected so they don't break if the toy hits a curb or flips over.
Control Range
This is how far you can drive the truck away from the transmitter before controlling it becomes challenging. In general, a control range of 30 meters is considered pretty good. It's not very fun if you can't control your vehicle from a decent distance.
Other Considerations
Terrain. When researching the best remote control trucks, think about where you will be using the vehicle. Will it traverse smooth floors and even pavements or grass, sand, and gravel? RC trucks can cover a variety of surface areas, but some are better than others on rocky trails and muddy areas.
Ease of Use. There are a variety of RC trucks to suit your needs. Whether you want the best 4x4 RC truck or the best 1/10 scale RC truck, there's something for everyone. However, some are easier to use than others. Check the age limit in the product description, which will indicate how advanced the toy is.
Two-Wheel Drive Versus Four-Wheel Drive. Two-wheel drive RC vehicles are less expensive, easier to maintain, and more durable. However, they're not as quick as the best 4x4 RC trucks. Four-wheel drive RC trucks are faster, more grippy, and more aggressive. They tend to be more popular, but both types are fun.
Best RC Trucks Reviews & Recommendations 2021
Best Overall
Our choice for the best overall RC truck is hands down the Axial SCX10 II Trail Honcho 4WD RC Rock Crawler. It comes fully assembled, saving you time and frustration having to build it out. This model of RC truck features a compact transmission that gives you plenty of gearing choices and excellent driveshaft angles.
It has a high clearance compared to other models thanks to its single piece AR44 axle, so you can roll effortlessly over obstacles that stymies other RC trucks. The Trail Honcho also features rugged Falken WildPeak M/T S30 tires like you would see on a real-life full size off-road truck. An adjustable battery tray and steel C-channel frame rail chassis add to the overall versatility and durability of this high-end RC truck. Four-link rear suspension geometry reduces torque twist and axle steer.
The 2.4GHz two-channel transmitter is pretty standard on this type of RC truck. We aren't big fans of this truck's hefty price tag and the fact that you have to purchase a 6-cell NiMH or 2-3s LiPo battery pack and charger separately, inflating the cost even further.
Best Value
For a budget-friendly option that offers rugged and fun performance and is great for beginners, consider the New Bright 4x4 1:10 Scale Remote Control Jeep Rock Crawler. It features Extreme Flex suspension that helps give the truck extra stability and traction on bumpy and aggressive terrain. Oversized tires are equipped with a deep tread pattern that provides extra grip on all surfaces.
This model also features an efficient rollover recovery setup, so that when it does tip over, the vehicle can right itself without needing help from you. Like most other RC trucks, this one comes with a 2.4GHz wireless transmitter and a large remote control that is easy for beginners to figure out. We also like the fact that it comes with a powerful 9.6-volt lithium-ion battery pack and wall charger. It has a relatively short charging time of only two hours and a run time of approximately 25 minutes.
We don't love that the suspension and most of the components on this car are made of plastic. More durable materials would greatly improve the performance of this RC truck. While it is pretty zippy, it's definitely not the fastest truck on our list, so don't plan to use it to win any races.
Honorable Mention
When you've got the need for speed, check out the Traxxas Slash 2WD Short Course Racing Truck. This truck has a powerful Titan 12-turn 550 motor that gives you speeds up to 30 miles per hour, making it a solid racing contender. It's ideal for serious hobbyists, racing enthusiasts, or older beginners who are looking to upgrade for the first time. It comes equipped with four-wheel independent suspension that's well-suited to big air and aggressive jumps.
Unlike some models, however, this is a rear-wheel drive truck that may take some getting used to if you've been running four-wheel drive RC vehicles. It features extra-wide, beefy tires that give some of the best traction and grip of any RC truck we've seen. It comes fully assembled and ready to drive, unfortunately you'll need to purchase batteries and a charger separately before you can go anywhere.
It's equipped with fully waterproof electronics, giving it added versatility over some models that are only water-resistant. It only has a 30-day warranty, so be sure to check it for any defects or function issues as soon as you receive it.
Honorable Mention
This RC truck features a funky 1950s style design with an iconic "Grave Digger" paint job that's modeled after the real life Monster Jam legend. It's an extremely detailed, true-to-scale, straight-axle, four-wheel drive monster truck with an SMT 10 tube frame chassis. This model is specifically designed to offer maximum bashing strength.
This truck is equipped with a 2.4GHz radio system and a powerful 550-size 12-turn brushed motor that gives this truck serious torque and quick, responsive handling. It has a waterproof, brushed ESC that is compatible with both NiMH or LiPo batteries. There are also forward/brake/reverse, forward/brake, and crawler drive modes, making it one of the most versatile RC trucks on our list.
This truck is so detailed, it even has multiple shock mounting positions to give you different suspension configuration options to suit different types of terrain. There are lots of upgradeable parts you can buy for this truck. However, it doesn't come ready to run, since it's not equipped with batteries or a charger. You'd think at this price point, the manufacturer would include those. There's also some concern over the long-term durability of the ESC and servo.
Honorable Mention
If you're looking to get a fast and fun RC truck without investing a ton of cash, the DEERC 9200E Off-Road Monster Truck might be just what you're looking for. It's a 1:10 scale four-wheel drive truck that boasts a top speed of 48 kilometers per hour, thanks to its powerful 540 high speed motor. This model is equipped with two 1,700mAh rechargeable batteries that give you up to 40 minutes of run time.
The 2.4GHz synchronous remote control is responsive and intuitive to use. This truck is also equipped with real metal oil-filled shocks and rugged, extra-wide high-density tires that help protect the truck's inner electronics while allowing you to tear up some serious terrain.
Some users report that the outer plastic body of the truck could be built more substantially, as the four anchor points don't impart enough durability and tend to break if impacted too hard. Also double check that all screws and pins are secure before undergoing your first test run, as several people complained about losing loose parts on their maiden voyage.
Honorable Mention
The four-wheel drive Volcano EPX is ready to run out of the box. It comes with an electric brushed 27T 540 motor, forward/reverse transmission, a high-torque steering servo, and a two-channel AM radio. It features a lightweight molded plastic chassis, front and rear gear differentials, and tunable suspension.
It has aggressive tires and a low center of gravity, which promotes high-speed performance. The truck is a lot of fun and plenty fast for a beginner or even intermediate driver, especially considering its price. It runs for 15 to 20 minutes on the battery, and it has a great range with the remote control. There are also a variety of upgrade parts and spare parts available, so you don't have to worry if you break something.
One problem with this truck is the front steering rod and several screws have a tendency to get loose and fall out. The charger is also not the best quality, and you need to supply four AA batteries for the transmitter.
Honorable Mention
The four-wheel drive Blackout XTE PRO is ready to run and has a signature "bashable" chassis with interchangeable parts, an inner roll cage, a hinged body, and a protective cover for the chassis. It also features tunable gear differentials, suspension, and shocks, as well as an adjustable ride height, camber, and toe angle. The high-torque steering servo and 45A brushless ESC are waterproof.
All the major components are made out of good-quality composite plastic. It's out-of-the-box build is great, and the setup is simple. The truck goes between 30 to 35 miles per hour on pavement, which is impressive for an RC truck. It's also very easy to take apart due to its simple design, and replacement parts are commonly available. You really can't go wrong considering the price of this vehicle.
However, the battery may loosen, and you may need to use a strip of foam to tighten it up within the bracket. In addition, when you flip the truck, the bulkhead has a tendency to break. Finally, it's an entry-level truck that is not meant for hard driving, so experienced hobbyists would want to look elsewhere.
Honorable Mention
Another fun and pleasantly affordable option that's ideal for kids and novices is the REMO 1621 4WD RC Truck. It has a wicked top speed of 50 kilometers per hour, thanks to a respectably powerful 390 brushed motor. It's equipped with four-wheel drive and features full four-directional control. This model has the usual 2.4 GHz radio control system and an easy-to-use, super responsive trigger controller.
The housing is fully waterproof and the unit comes with a 7.4-volt 1,500Ah LiPo rechargeable battery pack and charger, making this RC truck an even better value. At 1:16 scale, this is one of the smaller RC trucks on our list, and doesn't have the same amount of clearance as some other models.
It's a fun and durable RC truck that is ideal for racing on tracks, although it doesn't seem to corner as well as models with better constructed tires. The housing could also be a little more heavy-duty.
Tips
Be sure to check the battery specs. Determine how long the charge lasts and if it charges quickly. Also, if the truck doesn't come with a battery, you have to factor that into the cost.
Before you use the RC truck, consider applying Loctite to the shock screws, bumper screws, and drivetrain screws because they may come loose.
Even if the truck is waterproof, try not to submerge it in water and keep water out of the receiver because moisture can affect its performance.
RC trucks are all about modification. You can change various components, such as the tires, to go faster or traverse different terrain.
FAQs
Q: Is it better to get a pre-assembled RC truck?
If you're a beginner, or are purchasing an RC truck for a child, it's best to get a fully assembled RC truck that's ready to be used right out of the box. Serious hobbyists and racers who like to make plenty of modifications will do better with an RC truck that requires assembly prior to use.
Q: Are RC trucks waterproof?
Many RC trucks are waterproof, but most only have select waterproof components. Higher end RC trucks will offer durable waterproof housings that protect all the electronic inner workings of the unit. Be sure to double check the manufacturer's description prior to purchase.
Q: How long do RC truck batteries last?
Typically, RC truck batteries last between 10 to 20 minutes. However, you can upgrade to a more expensive battery that will give you up to 30 to 40 minutes of use, if not longer.
Final Thoughts
After seeing all the various options available, you can easily see why we chose the Axial SCX10 II Trail Honcho 4WD RC Rock Crawler as our top pick overall. This waterproof rock crawler comes fully assembled and features an ultra compact transmission, high clearance, and rugged Falken WildPeak M/T S30 tires. It's a tough and rugged model that easily out-performs cheaper, smaller RC trucks and will give you hours of entertainment.
Our favorite budget-friendly RC truck is the fast and durable New Bright 4x4 1:10 Scale Remote Control Jeep Rock Crawler. It's a great choice for kids and beginner hobbyists.
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Americans have had a love affair with their cars since the early part of the 20th century when Henry Ford succeeded in making car ownership affordable to the masses. As the number and quality of the nation's roads increased, culminating with the development of the interstate highway system in the 1950s, the number of Americans who sought to travel the roads by automobile grew in tandem. Car ownership became part of the American Dream, and the automobile became a symbol of freedom as well as a reflection of individual tastes and preferences.
Automobile manufacturing has always played and continues to play a significant role in the U.S. economy, providing well-paying jobs for workers and offering consumers an array of models from which to choose. The past 20 years have only added to those choices. Besides selecting from the fundamental types of vehicles such as passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs, new technologies in drivetrain design have provided more options outside of the traditional internal combustion engine that was the mainstay of automobile design for some 100+ years. Today's car manufacturers produce models that fill a full spectrum of choices, in price, performance, and capability.
This article will examine the biggest car manufacturers in the USA and present relevant data about these companies and the products that they bring to market.
Changes to the American Car Manufacturing Market
For the greater part of the 20th century, it was a simple matter to define American car manufacturers. Automobiles and the components that went into them were manufactured and assembled here in the U.S., and the biggest names in the industry, such as Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler, were all founded and headquartered here as well. There were some imported vehicles to be had, but there were far fewer of these on the roads, and obtaining repair parts and service was more problematic for buyers, which hindered these models from gaining market share.
Gradually, more foreign-based manufacturers began to increase their presence in the U.S., and sales of foreign-made automobiles to the U.S. consumer grew. Additional factors fueled some of these market disruptions. Economic crises such as the fuel shortages of the 1970s and high-interest rates drove consumers to seek out smaller, more fuel-efficient, less costly vehicles, which put domestic manufacturers in a difficult position to compete as the models that they were manufacturing tended to be larger and less fuel-efficient. Further global competition cut into market share and caused many of the U.S. car manufacturers to retrench and rework their models and businesses. Chrysler and General Motors both needed backing from the U.S. Government in order to immerge intact after periods of economic contraction. General Motors made a series of decisions to discontinue some of its brands, including its line of cars selling under the Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Saturn names. Chrysler was bought by Daimler and was subsequently sold to Italian carmaker Fiat, who recently merged with the Groupe PSA (parent company of the Peugeot brand) into a new company operating as Stellantis. Domestic car manufacturers also sought out foreign locations for some of the manufacturing operations as a further move to trim costs and remain competitive. These changes also extended to supply chains, whereas today's automobile, even if final assembly operations are performed domestically, is really comprised of component parts from a globally linked supply chain.
On top of the economic issues plaguing the industry, technology changes have played a key role. The push to address global climate change and the availability of new electric technology for powertrains has ushered in more changes to automotive design. New entrants to the automobile manufacturing market, such as Elon Musk's Tesla company, are paving the way for the future of the automobile in America. Based fully on a battery storage system and electric motor drive, this new fleet of cars has begun to gain acceptance by the consumer and thus market share. Other domestic and foreign car manufacturers have developed and are developing alternative vehicle technologies to compete with Tesla, offering both hybrid gas-electric models and fully electric vehicles as well. The future of driving in the United States will no doubt reflect a revolution of sorts, driven by technology that provides both increased value for the consumer and improvements in highway safety.
Leading Car Manufacturers in the USA
The automobile market as it exists in the U.S. today has evolved to a mix of manufacturers. One could characterize these companies by grouping them into three segments:
Legacy U.S. companies that are still headquartered here in the U.S. and sell their cars both domestically and globally. This would include names such as General Motors and Ford.
Emerging U.S. companies that are now significant car manufacturers, which would describe Tesla.
Foreign car companies that sell into the U.S. market and that have established significant U.S. operations, but whose parent companies are headquartered outside of the United States. Examples of these companies would include Toyota, Stellantis, and Hyundai.
Figure 1 below shows the production output of U.S. motor vehicles over a 20-year time horizon ranging from 1999 to 2019. The dip in production levels that began in 2008 and continued in 2009 corresponds to the economic slowdown triggered by the great recession that ran for several years starting in 2008.
Image credit: Statista.com
Figure 1 - Summary of U.S. Motor Vehicle Production from 1999 to 2019
Based on recent market share data, Figure 2 below shows the leading car manufacturers in the U.S., ranked by their relative market share from highest to lowest. The market share data for these companies are reflective of sales from the 3rd quarter of 2020.
Image credit: Statista.com
Figure 2 - Summary of Leading U.S. Car Manufacturer's Market Share
Key company information
Table 1 below provides information about the biggest car manufacturers in the USA, including the company headquarters location, estimated annual revenue (expressed in U.S. dollars), the approximate number of employees, and the approximate number of vehicle models offered in the U.S. market.
Table 1 – Data on the largest U.S. Car Manufacturers including Foreign Manufacturers with U.S Operations
Type
Company Name
Headquarters
Estimated Annual Revenue
Employees
Approximate Number of Models offered in the U.S. Market
Legacy U.S. manufacturer
General Motors
Detroit, Michigan, USA
$122.5 billion
164,000
52
Legacy U.S. manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, MI, USA
$127.1 billion
190,000
23
Foreign manufacturer with U.S. operations
Toyota Motor Corp.
Toyota City, Japan
$279.6 billion
110,000
45
Foreign manufacturer with U.S. operations
Stellantis (formerly FCA)
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
$130.3 billion
400,000
22
Foreign manufacturer with U.S. operations
Honda Motor Company
Tokyo, Japan
$142.9 billion
219,722
20
Foreign manufacturer with U.S. operations
Hyundai Kia Auto Group
Seoul, South Korea
$224.1 billion
173,819
35
Foreign manufacturer with U.S. operations
Nissan Motor Co.
Yokohama, Japan
$104.4 billion
138,893
17
Foreign manufacturer with U.S. operations
Subaru Corporation
Tokyo, Japan
$29.2 billion
35,030
9
Foreign manufacturer with U.S. operations
Volkswagen Group
Wolfsburg, Germany
$300.9 billion
670,000
10
Foreign manufacturer with U.S. operations
Daimler
Stuttgart, Germany
$183.8 billion
298,655
21
Emerging U.S. manufacturer
Tesla
Palo Alto, CA, USA
$31.5 billion
48,016
4
Foreign manufacturer with U.S. operations
Mazda
Hiroshima, Japan
$31.7 billion
31,151
9
Foreign manufacturer with U.S. operations
BMW Group
Munich, Germany
$124.1 billion
133,778
24
Table 2 below contains a detailed summary of the types of vehicles sold to the U.S. market by each manufacturer, organized by brand. The table shows the model names offered by each company under categories of the following types:
Cars (sedans and hatchbacks operating using gasoline or a hybrid of gasoline and electric power)
Electric vehicles (including fuel cell vehicles)
Sport Utility Vehicles or SUVs (including crossover models that are gas or hybrid-powered)
Trucks/Vans including Minivans (all power options)
Commercial vehicles (includes trucks and vans for heavy-duty commercial use)
Table 2 – Summary of the Major Brands and Vehicle Types Offered in the U.S. Market by the Largest Manufacturers with U.S Operations
*Note - the information for Stellantis (formerly FCA) only includes the primary U.S. brands of Chrysler, Dodge, RAM, and Jeep. Other brands sold in the U.S. such as Fiat and Alfa-Romeo are not listed.
General Motors, headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, is a legacy American car manufacturer and the parent company of Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, and GMC brands. Their Chevy brand offers the widest range of vehicle types, while Cadillac focuses more on luxury vehicles, Buick on SUVs, and GMC on SUVs and trucks.
Ford Motor Company, headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, is a legacy American car manufacturer that traces its roots back to Henry Ford and his innovations in the production line which helped make automobile manufacturing more efficient, driving down costs so that cars were affordable to the masses. Ford offers a full range of cars, SUVs, and light-duty trucks, plus a new version of their iconic Mustang that is a fully electric vehicle. They also pwn the Lincoln brand which is known for its line of luxury vehicles.
Toyota Motor Corp., headquartered in Toyota City, Japan, is a manufacturer of a range of vehicles from sedans to SUVs and trucks. They are well known for their gasoline-electric hybrids, most notably the Prius. A new offering is their all-electric model, the Mirai. The company also markets a brand of luxury vehicles under the Lexus nameplate.
Stellantis, formed from the merger of FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the Groupe PSA, operates under a number of brands in the U.S. including the former brands of the Chrysler Corporation prior to its mergers – Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep. The new company is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Honda Motor Company, with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, is a foreign manufacturer of automobiles including sedans, SUVs, minivans, and trucks. They also have a fuel cell electric vehicle in their portfolio, the Clarity Fuel Cell. Additionally, Honda owns and operates the Acura brand, whose offerings consist of luxury cars, SUVs, and performance vehicles.
Hyundai Kia Auto Group operates both the Hyundai and Kia brands as separate units, both of which are known for affordable small cars and SUVs. The Hyundai brand offers several electric vehicles, including the Kona Electric, IONIQ Electric, and Nexo Fuel Cell, while Kia sells its electric model the Niro EV. The company headquarters is in Seoul, South Korea.
Nissan Motor Co. is a Japanese car manufacturer with headquarters in Yokohama, Japan that offers approximately 18 different vehicles in the U.S. market. These models include cars, SUVs, cargo vans, as well as two different electric vehicles – the Nissan Leaf and the Ariya.
Subaru Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a Japanese automobile manufacturer known for its sporty vehicles with All Wheel Drive capability. Their product offering is mainly SUVs and crossovers, with a few performance vehicles including the WRX and BRZ. The company headquarters is in Tokyo, Japan.
Volkswagen Group, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany, is a global automobile manufacturer of passenger cars and SUVs. In the U.S. market, they are split more or less equally between both vehicle types and are rolling out their newest electric vehicle, the ID.4.
Daimler is the parent company of the week-known luxury brand Mercedes Benz, which has a large number of models from which buyers may choose. The company headquarters is in Stuttgart, Germany, and primarily focuses on sedans and SUVs.
Tesla is a recent addition to the U.S. automobile manufacturing scene, known for its product line of 100% electric vehicles. Founded by Elon Musk, the company presently offers four models for sale, the Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y. Additionally, the company is known for its research into battery technology and solar power generation technology. They are headquartered in Palo Alto, California.
Mazda, which operates in the U.S. as Mazda USA, is a Japanese car manufacturer that focuses on fun-to-drive vehicles. They currently sell sedans, hatchbacks, and SUVs in the U.S. market, and have been heavily involved with improving the performance of the internal combustion engines that power their vehicles. They were also known for the prior RX-7 and RX-8 models that featured a Wankel engine which eliminated traditional pistons in favor of a triangular eccentric rotor to convert combustion of the gasoline directly to rotational motion. The company is headquartered in Hiroshima, Japan.
BMW Group, headquartered in Munich, Germany, is a global manufacturer of cars, and SUVs. They offer approximately a dozen car models and eleven models of SUVs for sale in the U.S. In addition, they sell their i3 model, which is an all-electric vehicle.
Additional Statistical Data on the U.S. Automobile Market
Figures 3 - 10 below contain additional statistical information relating to the U.S. automobile industry and marketplace. The data includes statistics on:
Automotive industry employment
Motor vehicle production of cars vs. trucks
The volume of car sales
The car market by vehicle type
Best selling light trucks
Best selling electric car models
Information on Tesla's revenue growth and delivered vehicles
Image credit: Statista.com
Figure 3 - Automotive industry employment in the U.S. from 2010 to 2020
Image credit: Statista.com
Figure 4 - Percentage of car vs. truck sales in the U.S. by year from 1975 to 2019
Image credit: Statista.com
Figure 5 - History of U.S. Car Sales from 1951 to 2019
Image credit: Statista.com
Figure 6 - Car market by vehicle type for model years 2011 through 2024
Image credit: Statista.com
Figure 7 - Best-selling light truck models in the U.S. in 2020
Image credit: Statista.com
Figure 8 - Best-selling plug-in hybrid vehicle models in the U.S. in 2019
Image credit: Statista.com
Figure 9 - Tesla's revenue year-by-year from 2008 to 2020
Image credit: Statista.com
Figure 10 - The quantity of Tesla vehicles delivered year-by-year from 2015 to 2020
Summary
This article provided a summary of the biggest car manufacturers in the USA as well as presenting a selection of statistical data relating to the U.S. automobile industry and marketplace.
For information on other topics, consult our additional guides or visit the Thomas Supplier Discovery Platform where you can locate potential sources of supply for over 70,000 different product and service categories.
Sources:
Statista.com
Automobile manufacturer's websites and annual reports.
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