GM Imported Over 1.17 Million Vehicles in 2024, Outpacing BMW and Ford

U.S. Auto Imports: GM Leads, Tesla Stands Alone

General Motors imported 1,170,480 vehicles into the United States in 2024, according to data from S&P Global cited by the Detroit News. This figure is more than five times the number of vehicles BMW imported last year and significantly higher than Ford’s total.

Ford, another member of the so-called Detroit 3, imported 378,123 vehicles into the U.S. last year. While this represents a smaller share of its total sales—2,204,124 units—many of these imports came from Mexico, including popular models such as the Maverick, Bronco Sport, and Mustang Mach-E. The Lincoln Nautilus, sourced from China, also contributed to Ford’s import volume.

Stellantis and Foreign Automakers: Import Trends

Stellantis imported 513,893 vehicles into the U.S. last year, positioning it as a major importer among the Detroit 3. The company has been shifting some production stateside, including moving Jeep Compass assembly to Illinois to reduce reliance on imports.

Foreign automakers also played a significant role in U.S. imports. Nissan imported 429,451 vehicles, Volkswagen imported 452,220, and Honda shipped in 556,404 vehicles. Among foreign brands, Hyundai and Toyota led the charge, importing 1,092,478 and 1,192,969 vehicles, respectively.

In contrast, BMW imported only 215,078 vehicles into the U.S. last year, fewer than any of the Detroit 3. However, BMW’s total U.S. sales in 2024 were 388,897 units, meaning more than half of its sales were imported vehicles.

GM’s Heavy Reliance on Imports

GM’s import volume last year included 388,280 vehicles from its South Korean operations. Key models imported from South Korea included the Chevrolet Trax, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Buick Envista, and Buick Encore GX.

Despite tariffs imposed during the Trump administration that increased import costs, GM is investing $600 million into its South Korean operations to expand production. At the same time, the company is investing billions to boost domestic output, adding hundreds of thousands of units to U.S. capacity. However, shifting production across regions is a long-term process that can take years due to factory retooling and supply chain adjustments.

Tesla’s Domestic-First Strategy

Tesla stands out as the most American automaker in terms of manufacturing. Last year, it sold every vehicle in the U.S. without importing a single unit. Tesla’s vehicles are also noted for having the highest percentage of North American content among major automakers.

Key Takeaways

• GM imported 1,170,480 vehicles into the U.S. in 2024, more than five times BMW’s total.
• Ford imported 378,123 vehicles, many from Mexico, including the Maverick and Bronco Sport.
• Stellantis imported 513,893 vehicles and is shifting some production to the U.S.
• Foreign automakers like Hyundai (1,092,478) and Toyota (1,192,969) imported more vehicles than any of the Detroit 3.
• Tesla did not import any vehicles into the U.S. last year, relying entirely on domestic production.