Elon’s Tesla Is the Most American Car on the Market [WATCH]

CNN’s Michael Smerconish recently made a case for Tesla as the most American-made car available, challenging the common perception that the electric vehicle brand is primarily associated with progressives.

On his show, Smerconish, a Tesla owner, argued that purchasing a Tesla is a patriotic choice rather than a political statement.

“I’m a Tesla owner. Two of them, actually,” Smerconish said.

“Not because I’m progressive, hardly, but because I appreciate the technology and I’d rather not contribute to global warming. And I like that it’s made in America.”

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He cited a Cars.com study ranking Tesla’s Model Y as the most American-made vehicle for the third consecutive year, with the Model X and Model S also appearing in the top ten.

While Tesla does manufacture cars in China and Germany for international markets, Smerconish emphasized that every Tesla sold in the United States is produced domestically, either at the company’s factories in California or Texas.

“That ought to appeal to Republicans, at least the Texas part,” he remarked.

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Smerconish compared Tesla’s domestic production to that of other American automakers, highlighting that brands like Ford, General Motors (GM), and Stellantis manufacture many of their vehicles outside the United States.

“Compare that to Ford, GM, or Stellantis, which produce many of their vehicles, including some of their best-selling trucks, outside the U.S.,” he said.

He noted that some of the most popular trucks marketed as American-made, such as the Ram 1500 and Chevy Silverado, are frequently assembled in Mexico with components sourced from international suppliers.

Smerconish stated that his choice to drive a Tesla was based on quality rather than political ideology.

“I don’t make my consumer decisions based on politics; I make them based on quality,” he said.

He also pointed out the irony of Tesla, once a symbol of progressive environmentalism, now being embraced by conservatives as its CEO, Elon Musk, has become an advocate for reducing government spending.

At the same time, many on the left have distanced themselves from the brand, even targeting Tesla dealerships and owners with vandalism and violent attacks.

Smerconish speculated on how shifting political alliances could impact the future of electric vehicles, particularly as Tesla increases its influence.

“So maybe Musk and Trump’s newfound marketing will boost charging availability, which would be good for all of us and for the planet,” he said.

He then added with irony, “How ironic and progressive that it would then be Trump who is reducing carbon emissions.”

Ultimately, Smerconish concluded that the political identity of those advancing EV infrastructure is irrelevant to him.

“Whether it’s Trump or Musk or Biden, I don’t care who gets us there. Just plug me in and let’s roll.”

This is an incredible segment from CNN’s Michael Smerconish:

“I’m a @Tesla owner. I appreciate the technology, and I like that it’s made in America. In fact among all automakers, Tesla is arguably the most American; I don’t make my consumer decisions based on politics. I make… pic.twitter.com/ybdnt2NeHh

— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) March 15, 2025

With Tesla continuing to dominate the EV market and its CEO aligning more closely with conservative perspectives, the political perception of electric vehicles is shifting.

The debate over EVs and their role in the American auto industry is expected to continue, especially as discussions over manufacturing, environmental policy, and infrastructure development remain at the forefront.

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