Who are the “Big Three” carmakers?

In the United States auto industry, the “Big Three” are General Motors (GM), Ford Motor Company, and Chrysler—now the U.S. arm of Stellantis. The term is rooted in Detroit’s automotive history and is commonly used in business, labor, and policy discussions. In other regions, “Big Three” can refer to different groups of leading automakers, but in most global coverage it points to GM, Ford, and the Chrysler lineage.

The U.S. Big Three: Companies and core brands

The following list outlines the three companies most often identified as the U.S. “Big Three,” along with their principal consumer brands and a note on corporate structure as of the mid‑2020s.

• General Motors (GM) — Major brands: Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Buick (North America). Headquarters: Detroit, Michigan. Known for full‑line manufacturing from mass‑market trucks and SUVs to premium vehicles and a growing portfolio of EVs.
• Ford Motor Company — Major brands: Ford and Lincoln. Headquarters: Dearborn, Michigan. A pioneer in mass production, Ford remains a leader in pickups (F‑Series) and is scaling EVs such as the Mustang Mach‑E and F‑150 Lightning.
• Chrysler (part of Stellantis) — U.S. brands within Stellantis include Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram. Stellantis N.V. was formed in 2021 via the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and PSA Group; its U.S. operations retain the legacy “Chrysler” identity in product and labor contexts.

Together, these three companies shaped the American auto landscape for more than a century, anchoring manufacturing, engineering, and unionized labor in and around Detroit while expanding global operations.

Why they’re called the “Big Three”

The label reflects historical market dominance and scale. After World War II, GM, Ford, and Chrysler controlled the vast majority of U.S. auto sales, set industry standards for design and manufacturing, and employed hundreds of thousands of union workers. While their combined market share has declined with increased foreign competition and the rise of new EV makers, the trio still exerts outsized influence on supply chains, labor negotiations, safety and emissions policy, and technology roadmaps.

Context and variations by region

In some discussions, “Big Three” can mean different companies depending on the country or segment. The following examples show the most common regional uses of the phrase outside the U.S.

• Japan: Toyota, Nissan, and Honda are often referred to as the Japanese “Big Three,” reflecting their global scale and long-standing domestic leadership.
• Germany (luxury segment): BMW, Mercedes‑Benz, and Audi are sometimes called the German “Big Three” of premium automaking.

These alternate uses are context-specific. In international business media and labor reporting, “Big Three” without a qualifier typically refers to GM, Ford, and Chrysler (now within Stellantis) in the United States.

Recent developments affecting the Big Three

Labor and contracts

In late 2023, the United Auto Workers (UAW) reached new contracts with GM, Ford, and Stellantis after targeted strikes, securing wage increases and other benefits across U.S. operations. Those deals shaped compensation baselines and set expectations for subsequent negotiations with other automakers operating U.S. plants.

Electrification and investment

All three companies continue to expand electrification strategies, investing in battery plants and EV platforms. GM is deploying its Ultium architecture; Ford is scaling production of the F‑150 Lightning and developing next‑generation EVs; Stellantis is electrifying Jeep and Ram lineups and building out North American battery capacity following its global EV roadmap.

Market dynamics

While the Big Three remain central to U.S. vehicle sales—especially in trucks and SUVs—the competitive landscape has broadened with the growth of Asian and European brands, and the rapid ascent of pure‑play EV manufacturers in the U.S. market.

Summary

In U.S. automotive parlance, the “Big Three” are General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler (now part of Stellantis). The term reflects their historic dominance, enduring industrial footprint, and ongoing influence on labor, regulation, and technology. In other regions, “Big Three” can mean different automakers, but in global business and policy contexts it most often refers to these Detroit‑rooted companies.

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. 

Who are the big 3 car companies?

The Big Three car companies in the United States are Ford, General Motors (GM), and Stellantis North America (which was formerly Chrysler). These companies are often called the “Detroit Three” because of their historical ties and production facilities in the Detroit area, which serves as a significant indicator of the U.S. economy. 
Historical Context and Evolution:

• Early Dominance: In the early days of the auto industry, these companies dominated the American market. 
• Market Shift: The Big Three began losing market dominance in the 1970s with the rise of smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles from Japanese and European automakers. 
• Stellantis: Chrysler underwent ownership changes, including a government bailout, and eventually merged with PSA Group to form the multinational corporation Stellantis in 2021. 

Current Status:

• Investment in EVs: All three U.S. Big Three are making significant investments in electric vehicle technology to remain competitive. 
• Economic Influence: Despite increased global competition, they remain major players in the American economy and have production facilities and employees in the Detroit area. 
• Union Representation: Employees of the Big Three are largely represented by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union. 

What is the Big 3 car?

The “Big 3” car refer to Ford, General Motors (GM), and Stellantis (formerly Chrysler), the three largest American automakers historically based in the Detroit area. For decades, they dominated the U.S. market, though their market share has declined due to foreign competition. Today, Stellantis is a multinational company, and all three are investing heavily in electric vehicles to adapt to the changing automotive landscape. 
Who are the Big 3?

• Ford Motor Company: An American automaker with a long history in the industry. 
• General Motors (GM): An American multinational corporation and one of the largest automakers globally. 
• Stellantis (formerly Chrysler): Chrysler underwent several ownership changes and is now part of Stellantis, a multinational conglomerate. 

Historical Context

• Dominance: For decades, these three companies were the top automakers in the United States. 
• “Motor City”: Their strong influence is why Detroit is often called “Motor City”. 

Current Status

• Market Share Decline: While still significant, the Big 3 have lost market share to competitors from Japan, South Korea, and Europe. 
• Global Competition: Toyota and the Volkswagen Group surpassed GM and Ford as global leaders in vehicle production at various points. 
• Electric Vehicles (EVs): All three companies are investing heavily in electric vehicle technology to compete in the evolving market. 
• Economic Influence: Despite global competition, the Big 3 remain important players in the U.S. economy. 

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.