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When people talk about trucks and national pride, it’s almost second nature to assume that Ford, Chevy, or Ram hold the crown of what it means to drive something truly American. But reality can often be more complicated than that, and sometimes the people yelling the loudest about patriotism can be the least informed about what’s really happening. That’s why when Joseph Fay shared his experience at a stop light in his Tesla Cybertruck, where the driver next to him yelled out, “get something American made,” he couldn’t help but laugh at the irony. Here’s him talking about it:
“While stopped at a stop light, the car next to me screamed ‘get something American made!’ This just shows how uneducated people are about Teslas. The Cybertruck is the most American made pickup truck in the world and just because it isn’t a ‘Ford,’ people’s ignorance really shows.”
Joseph’s frustration is easy to understand. The Tesla Cybertruck, despite its polarizing looks, is manufactured at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Austin, Texas. Someone shouting about buying American was unknowingly criticizing a truck that is assembled in the U.S. with one of the highest shares of domestic production. When owners share experiences like Joseph’s, it highlights the gap between public perception and the reality of how global supply chains actually work.
Community Voices: Reactions to Joseph’s Story
Not everyone agreed with Joseph, but the comments under his post show just how complex the conversation about American-made vehicles can be.
Ben Peters chimed in with, “Get a Toyota. American cars are junk.”
Although it’s an extremely sharp attack, his perspective is totally understandable. Many long-time truck buyers have been burned by reliability issues from U.S. brands, as seen in stories like this Chevrolet and GMC owner’s experience over 40 years. Joseph’s Cybertruck may be built in Texas, but to someone who has lost trust in domestic brands, “buying American” doesn’t hold the same meaning it once did.
Earle Gregory offered a more nuanced view: “Most Ford parts are made in China or Mexico. But the Cybertruck is still ugly. No offense because I like Tesla just not the truck.”
This is fair criticism because styling will always be subjective. Just as one Mustang Mach-E owner admitted they couldn’t get past Ford’s design choices in the rear, not everyone will warm up to the Cybertruck’s sharp lines and futuristic panels. That’s okay. Personal taste doesn’t cancel out the reality that the Cybertruck is still American-made for a large portion of its production.
Glenn Matthyssen added a different angle, saying, “Why do folks talk negatively…I’d love to be able to afford a Cybertruck.”
This stands out because it reflects the kind of mentality that drives the car world forward. Instead of falling into jealousy or criticism, Glenn shows appreciation for innovation even from the sidelines. That perspective is refreshing to see because it recognizes that not everyone can buy a Cybertruck, but respecting the effort and progress behind it is what captures the true spirit of being a car enthusiast.
Finally, Scott Goodsell summed up another layer of the debate: “Ford is having problems because they sent all their manufacturing out of the country. Exactly why we need high tariffs. Until they have transitioned back to American made parts, they’re going to be less than successful.”
The Tariff Debate: A Double-Edged Sword
Scott’s point naturally raises the bigger question: would the tariffs that President Donald Trump has implemented really help or hurt the auto industry?
On one hand, tariffs can push automakers to reinvest in U.S. factories and source more components domestically, which might boost jobs and restore a sense of national pride. In theory, this could revitalize regions hit hardest by outsourcing and give American-made trucks an even stronger identity.
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On the other hand though, higher tariffs almost always translate to higher sticker prices, meaning the average buyer ends up paying more for the same vehicle. This makes the market less competitive and can slow down innovation if companies are focused on simply passing costs along to consumers.
It’s why tariffs are often seen as a double-edged sword. They can work if tied to long-term strategy and reinvestment, but they can also backfire if consumers and workers end up carrying the burden.
But How American-Made Is the Cybertruck Anyway?
Joseph’s claim that the Cybertruck is the most American-made pickup has truth to it, but it comes with a caveat. The Cybertruck is built in Austin, Texas, but it is classified as a heavy-duty truck, which means it doesn’t appear in the official Cars.com American-Made Index, as an example. This index focuses on light-duty vehicles, and in that ranking, pickups like the Jeep Gladiator and Honda Ridgeline come out on top. Tesla does consistently dominate the index with its other models though, including the Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X. Matter of fact, those vehicles are ranked in order as the most American-made.
So, the bigger picture is that this isn’t a black-and-white concept. It includes assembly location, domestic parts content, and the size of the U.S. manufacturing workforce behind a vehicle. By those measures, the Cybertruck qualifies as one of the most American pickups you can buy, even if it doesn’t carry the legacy badges of Ford or Chevy.
Related Lessons from Other Owners
Stories like Joseph’s often connect with broader themes too. For example, one Cybertruck owner recently documented how little they spent on energy costs during their first road trip in the Tesla Cybertruck, proving that EV ownership has benefits beyond just being made in the USA. Another driver admitted that while they never liked Tesla before, but the Cybertruck’s performance and presence on the road won them over.
These kinds of stories show that there’s more to owning an EV truck than political or cultural arguments. It often comes down to a matter of daily experience, cost of ownership, and personal connection.
From my perspective, Joseph’s story highlights how the truck world is at a crossroads. People want to hold onto traditional ideas of what it means to drive something American, yet the data increasingly shows that companies like Tesla are reshaping that very definition. I think what stands out most is how quickly people make assumptions without knowing the facts. Whether it’s about design, tariffs, or national pride, the automotive industry has always thrived on strong opinions. But it’s the deeper look that tells the true story.
Key Takeaways
- The Tesla Cybertruck is built in Austin, Texas, making it one of the most American-made pickups despite misconceptions.
- Being “American-made” is more complex than a badge. It includes assembly, parts sourcing, and domestic labor.
- Tariff benefits are not straighforward: They may encourage domestic production, but they can also raise consumer costs.
- Public perception doesn’t always match reality, especially when it comes to new EV trucks that challenge tradition.
Share Your Thoughts With Us
Have you ever had someone make an assumption about your vehicle that wasn’t true?
And do you think “American-made” should mean assembly in the U.S., or should parts sourcing and company ownership matter more?
I’d love to hear about your thoughts in our comments below.
Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.
Image Sources: Joseph Fay’s Facebook post and Tesla’s gallery, respectively.
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Source: torquenews.com
