Which Foreign Automakers Rely Most on U.S. Buyers?

Key takeaways

• Honda has the highest exposure to the U.S. market, with 39% of its 2024 sales coming from America
• Many brands generate more than a quarter of their sales in the U.S.

Background on U.S. auto imports

According to S&P Global Mobility, almost half of new vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2024 were assembled outside the country. 

The top five countries ranked by their value of U.S. vehicle imports are:

• Mexico ($78.5B)
• Japan ($39.7B)
• South Korea ($36.6B)
• Canada ($31.2B)
• Germany ($24.8B)

Trump puts automakers in a tough spot

Trump’s auto tariffs are intended to coerce automakers into moving their production to the U.S., though this is difficult in practice due to the complexity and globalization of modern supply chains.

Automakers often rely on a vast network of international suppliers for parts and materials, and relocating entire production lines can take years and require massive capital investment.

Hyundai (#2 in this graphic) recently announced it would invest an additional $21 billion from 2025 to 2028 to scale up its U.S. manufacturing capabilities.