Who Are the Big Three Auto Manufacturers?

The Big Three auto manufacturers in the United States are General Motors (GM), Ford Motor Company, and Stellantis (the parent company of Chrysler). The term traditionally referred to GM, Ford, and Chrysler—America’s largest legacy automakers headquartered in and around Detroit—and today reflects Chrysler’s integration into Stellantis, formed in 2021 through the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group.

What “Big Three” Means Today

In American automotive and labor context, the Big Three—often called the “Detroit Three”—are the dominant legacy automakers with deep manufacturing, engineering, and employment roots in the U.S. While global sales leadership may include companies like Toyota or Volkswagen, the Big Three is a U.S.-specific designation tied to history, unionized workforces, and domestic production capacity. Since 2021, Chrysler has operated under Stellantis, a multinational headquartered in Amsterdam with a major North American base in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

The Companies at a Glance

General Motors (GM)

GM remains one of the most prominent U.S. automakers, with a portfolio focused on trucks, SUVs, and an expanding (but carefully paced) EV lineup built on its Ultium platform. Below are the core brands and notable points that define GM in the U.S. market.

• Core U.S. brands: Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Buick
• EV strategy: Ultium-based models such as the Chevrolet Blazer EV and Equinox EV, Cadillac Lyriq, and GMC Hummer EV
• Technology: Cruise (autonomous driving unit) paused driverless operations in late 2023 after a safety incident and has been restructuring with limited, supervised testing resuming in select markets
• Manufacturing footprint: Large U.S. presence across the Midwest and South, with ongoing investment in EV and battery production

GM’s near-term focus balances strong profitability in trucks and SUVs with a measured ramp of EVs and continued reassessment of autonomous efforts.

Ford Motor Company

Ford is a cornerstone of the U.S. auto industry, pairing best-selling trucks with a growing EV and commercial-vehicle strategy. The following points capture Ford’s current positioning and priorities.

• Core U.S. brands: Ford, Lincoln
• Product strengths: F-Series trucks, Bronco, Mustang; EVs include the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E
• Strategic focus: Ford Pro (commercial vehicles and services), software and connected services, and targeted EV investments
• Manufacturing: Major investments in BlueOval battery and EV facilities, with some timelines adjusted in 2023–2024 to match market demand

Ford continues to lean on high-demand pickups and commercial fleets while pacing its EV investment to market realities and charging infrastructure growth.

Stellantis (Chrysler)

Stellantis oversees Chrysler’s North American operations and a wide global brand set. In the U.S., its lineup is concentrated in trucks, SUVs, and performance vehicles, with significant EV plans underway.

• Key North American brands: Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram
• Global stable: Includes Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Peugeot, Citroën, Opel, and Vauxhall (among others)
• EV transition: Investments in battery plants and electrification of Jeep and Ram lineups; expanding plug-in hybrid offerings
• Manufacturing: Major North American operations in the Midwest and Canada, including new battery plant development

Stellantis is leveraging Jeep and Ram’s brand strength in North America while accelerating electrification and reviving key U.S. manufacturing sites.

Why They Matter

The Big Three’s influence extends beyond car sales to employment, supply chains, and national industrial policy. Their strategic choices often set the tone for the broader U.S. auto market and related sectors.

• Employment and unions: They are the largest unionized automakers in the U.S., central to UAW negotiations that affect wages and standards industry-wide.
• Manufacturing scale: Operate extensive U.S. assembly and component plants, sustaining vast supplier ecosystems.
• EV transition: Their investments in batteries, charging, and new platforms shape the pace of U.S. electrification.
• Policy influence: Key stakeholders in emissions, safety, trade, and industrial policy debates.

Because of this scope, shifts in Big Three strategy—whether on EVs, automation, or labor—reverberate across the economy and public policy.

Common Misconceptions

Several myths can blur what the “Big Three” actually signifies in 2025. Here are clarifications that help keep the term in context.

• Global vs. U.S. rankings: The “Big Three” is a U.S. label; globally, sales leaders often include Toyota and Volkswagen.
• Chrysler vs. Stellantis: Chrysler is now a brand under Stellantis; the Big Three company is Stellantis, not the standalone Chrysler of old.
• Tesla’s role: Despite its EV prominence, Tesla is not part of the Big Three; the term is historical and union/manufacturing-context specific.
• Detroit geography: While still called the “Detroit Three,” manufacturing and R&D footprints now span multiple U.S. states and Canada.

Understanding these points ensures the term is used precisely, especially in discussions about labor, policy, and market share.

Recent Developments (2023–2025)

The last few years brought rapid change in labor relations, electrification, and autonomy across the Big Three.

• UAW contracts (2023): The UAW staged a historic, coordinated strike across all Big Three firms, resulting in new agreements with significant wage and benefit gains and commitments affecting future investments and plant operations.
• EV pacing: GM, Ford, and Stellantis adjusted some EV launch timelines and capital plans in 2023–2024 to align with demand, charging buildout, and profitability targets, while continuing to introduce new EVs and plug-in hybrids.
• Autonomous driving: GM’s Cruise paused driverless operations nationwide in late 2023 following a safety incident; the unit has been restructuring and conducting limited, supervised testing as it works toward a safer relaunch.
• Plant investments: Stellantis advanced North American battery capacity (e.g., Canada and Midwest U.S.) and moved to revive facilities like Belvidere, Illinois; Ford continued BlueOval projects with scope adjustments; GM expanded Ultium-related production and software upgrades to stabilize recent EV launches.

Together, these moves reflect a pragmatic shift: preserving core profitability in trucks and SUVs while steadily (and selectively) scaling electrification and advanced tech.

Summary

The Big Three are General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Stellantis (Chrysler). Rooted in Detroit’s automotive legacy, they remain central to U.S. manufacturing, labor, and the transition to electric and connected vehicles. While global market leaders may vary, the Big Three’s influence on policy, jobs, and industrial strategy makes them pivotal players in the American economy.

What are the big 3 auto makers?

The Big Three Automakers: Overview
The Big Three automakers include Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, formally known as Chrysler. They are known as the Big Three because they are the top three automobile manufacturers in the United States.

Who is bigger, Toyota or Volkswagen?

Is Volkswagen a bigger manufacturer than Toyota? In 2021, Toyota established itself as the world’s number 1 seller, with a total of 10.5 million vehicles sold around the world. Volkswagen comes in at second place, not far behind with 8,82 million vehicles sold.

Is Ford or GM bigger?

Key Takeaways. Ford and General Motors are the two biggest automakers in the United States and are also big players on the world stage. General Motors leads in US market share.

Who are the top 3 car manufacturers in the US?

The Big Three in the automotive industry is a reference to the three largest car manufacturers in the United States: General Motors Company (GM), Stellantis (STLA), formerly known as Fiat Chrysler, and Ford Motor Company (F).