Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) CEO Elon Musk has backed the automaker’s domestic manufacturing prowess amid President Donald Trump‘s tariffs on the auto industry.
Domestic Assembly, Domestic Parts
On Saturday, podcast host Katie Miller took to the social media platform X, sharing a screenshot of a Wall Street Journal article outlining Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F) and General Motors Co.‘s (NYSE:GM) domestic manufacturing push. “Every Tesla sold in the United States is assembled in the United States,” she said.
The correct answer is Tesla.
— Katie Miller (@KatieMiller) August 15, 2026
Every Tesla sold in the United States is assembled in the United States. pic.twitter.com/HUunFOVSlq
Responding to Miller, Musk provided more context on Tesla’s U.S. manufacturing exploits. “More than assembled. The parts are overwhelmingly made in America too,” the Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ:SPCX) CEO said in the post.
More than assembled. The parts are overwhelmingly made in America too.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 15, 2026
Highest Percentage of American Parts
On Sunday, Musk quoted a post by Cybertruck’s lead engineer Wes Morill, who said that Tesla vehicles had an 84% Total domestic content score, while Ford had 63% American parts in its vehicles. “Tesla cars sold in America are the most made in America of any cars,” Musk said.
Tesla cars sold in America are the most made in America of any cars https://t.co/3yUiWcbFhn
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 16, 2026
Howard Lutnick Touts Trump’s Tariffs
The news comes as Trump’s Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, backed the administration’s tariffs on the auto industry, saying the move was bringing back “thousands” of jobs to American auto manufacturing. Lutnick also backed Ford’s move to shift production of some Lincoln vehicles away from China and into the U.S.
Meanwhile, Ford CEO Jim Farley reportedly said that the move to shift production was in response to the administration’s tariffs, while confirming that Lincoln’s Nautilus SUV, which is imported from China, attracted a 52.5% tariff. Ford will begin production in the U.S. starting in 2030.
Price Action: TSLA grew 0.43% to $343.73 during overnight trading.
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