Who Are the Big Three in Automotive?

In the United States, the “Big Three” automakers are General Motors (GM), Ford Motor Company, and Stellantis North America (the successor to Chrysler). The label refers to the Detroit-area manufacturers that have historically led U.S. vehicle production, employment, and industry influence; while usage varies globally, this is the most common and widely accepted meaning.

What the Term “Big Three” Means

The phrase originated in the 20th century to denote the dominant U.S. carmakers headquartered in the Detroit metro area. It remains in use because these companies still anchor America’s auto manufacturing, labor relations, supplier networks, and technology investments—even as the global market has diversified and new entrants, especially in electric vehicles, have gained prominence.

The Big Three Today

The following list outlines who the Big Three are, where they’re based, and the brands they primarily oversee in North America, providing a snapshot of their current identities and roles.

• General Motors (GM) — Headquarters: Detroit, Michigan. Core U.S. brands: Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Buick. GM remains a leading U.S. seller and is investing heavily in electrification and software-defined vehicles across platforms such as Ultium.
• Ford Motor Company — Headquarters: Dearborn, Michigan. Core U.S. brands: Ford and Lincoln. Ford combines high-volume trucks and SUVs with an expanding EV lineup, including the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E, while modernizing manufacturing and connected services.
• Stellantis North America (formerly Chrysler) — North American HQ: Auburn Hills, Michigan. Primary U.S. brands: Jeep, Ram, Dodge, Chrysler. Formed in 2021 through the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and PSA Group, Stellantis is pursuing its Dare Forward strategy with an expanded global brand portfolio.

Together, these companies continue to anchor U.S. auto production, set benchmarks in trucks and SUVs, and shape key areas like labor agreements, supply chains, and technology roadmaps for the broader market.

Why They Matter

Beyond sales rankings, the Big Three’s importance lies in their systemic impact: they employ hundreds of thousands directly and indirectly, influence thousands of suppliers, and are integral to America’s manufacturing base. Their contracts with the United Auto Workers (UAW)—most recently renegotiated in late 2023 and running into 2028—often ripple through wage standards and working conditions across the sector. Their capital spending guides where battery plants, software hubs, and next-generation factories are built, shaping regional economies in the Midwest and beyond.

How the Landscape Is Changing

Electrification, software, autonomy, and shifting consumer demand are reshaping the industry. GM has set goals toward an all-electric future for light-duty vehicles, Ford has rebalanced near-term EV investments while continuing key programs, and Stellantis targets significant EV sales share under its Dare Forward 2030 plan, including battery-electric offerings across Jeep, Ram, Dodge, and Chrysler. All three are integrating over-the-air updates, connected services, and advanced driver-assistance systems as differentiators. While EV adoption has cycled through periods of acceleration and recalibration, the Big Three remain central to the U.S. transition with multibillion-dollar commitments to batteries, supply chains, and domestic manufacturing.

Common Confusion: Global “Big Three” vs. Detroit’s Big Three

The term can mean different things outside the U.S., so it helps to understand alternative usages you may see in international coverage or data discussions.

• Detroit’s Big Three (most common in the U.S.): GM, Ford, Stellantis North America (formerly Chrysler).
• Global sales leaders (varies by year): Toyota, Volkswagen Group, and often General Motors (with Hyundai Motor Group also frequently in contention), depending on the timeframe and metrics used.
• Historical references: Older sources may list GM, Ford, and “Chrysler” explicitly, reflecting the pre-2021 corporate structure before Stellantis was formed.

When in doubt, context usually clarifies which “Big Three” is meant: U.S. news and labor discussions typically point to Detroit’s trio, while global market-share analyses may cite different groupings.

Summary

The Big Three in automotive—General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis North America (formerly Chrysler)—are the Detroit-based automakers that have long defined the U.S. industry’s scale and direction. While the global market now features many powerful players, these three companies continue to set the tone in American manufacturing, labor agreements, and the shift toward electrified, software-driven vehicles.

Who are the Big Three in the auto industry?

United States. General Motors, the Ford Motor Company and Chrysler are often referred to as the Big Three, although Chrysler has been surpassed as the third-largest U.S. automaker by Toyota of America.

What are Detroit’s Big Three?

The “Big 3 Detroit” likely refers to the Detroit Amps, a 3-on-3 basketball team playing in the professional BIG3 League. Co-founded by Ice Cube, the BIG3 league features former NBA stars. The Detroit Amps were established in 2024 as a new, city-based franchise. 
About the Detroit Amps

• League: The Detroit Amps play in the BIG3 league. 
• Ownership: The team is owned by GameAbove Sports, an investment company, with involvement from figures like George Gervin, T.J. Lang, and Keith J. Stone. 
• Location: The team is based in Detroit, playing its games at Little Caesars Arena. 
• Notable Figures: The team features prominent athletes, including Hall of Famer George Gervin as head coach and former NBA player Joe Johnson as co-captain. 

The BIG3 League

• Origin: The BIG3 is a professional 3-on-3 basketball league founded by Ice Cube. 
• Format: It features former NBA superstars. 
• City-Based Model: For the 2025 season, the BIG3 transitioned to a city-based model, with Detroit receiving its own team. 

Is Ford or GM bigger?

General Motors (GM) is currently a bigger company than Ford, based on vehicle production, market share in the U.S., and overall market presence as of recent years, though Ford is a significant global competitor as well. 
Here’s a breakdown:

• U.S. Market: Opens in new tabGM typically holds a larger market share in the United States than Ford. 
• Global Production: Opens in new tabAs of 2022, GM produced more vehicles than Ford, making it the second-largest American-based automaker in the world. 
• Revenue and Market Cap: Opens in new tabWhile specific figures fluctuate, GM’s overall revenue and market presence often make it the larger of the two American companies. 
• Historical Context: Opens in new tabBoth companies were once the world’s largest automakers, but have since been surpassed by other global manufacturers like Toyota and the Volkswagen Group. 

In summary, GM is the larger of the two companies in terms of production and market presence, while both remain major players in the global auto industry.

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.