Listing of Leading American Automobile and Auto Components Companies: Showcase in Slides
A new analysis of the 2021 Fortune 500 has revealed the highest-ranked U.S. auto manufacturers and suppliers, with available data, including Ford, General Motors (GM), Tesla, and American Axle, among others. Here's a closer look at their performances:
Ford
In 2021, Ford remained a top-selling brand in the U.S. market, with models like the Ford F-150 leading vehicle sales and holding 26 state wins for best-selling vehicle in 2021 [1]. While exact 2021 revenue and profit figures are not provided in the search results, Ford is known for strong sales in trucks and SUVs.
Tesla
Tesla's Model Y was the top-selling vehicle in the U.S. in 2021 by state count (1st place in 2021) [1]. Tesla has posted strong earnings recently, topping earnings estimates and showing strong growth in electrification segments. Tesla was also highlighted as one of the S&P 500 auto sector components with reported quarterly outperformance in Q2 2025 [2].
General Motors (GM)
GM reported $6.73 billion in profits in 2020 and was among the most profitable auto manufacturers that year, ranking third behind Toyota and Volkswagen [3]. GM is also mentioned as a strong performer in recent quarters [2].
American Axle (supplier)
A notable supplier advancing in electrification, American Axle had quarterly revenue around $1.51 billion with profits exceeding estimates in multiple quarters and a strong growth outlook due to its electric propulsion technology portfolio [2].
Other data points for 2021 specific revenue and growth figures are generally not given in the search results. However, industry trends indicate that established manufacturers like Toyota and Volkswagen had profits around $19.1 billion and $15.54 billion respectively in 2020, with growth rates varying by company [3].
For suppliers like Lithia Motors, a major dealer group and auto service provider, revenues grew from $13 billion in 2019 to significantly higher levels by 2025, with 4%+ growth in revenue and gross profit in recent quarters [4].
Here's a summary of the key points for the companies mentioned above:
| Company | Notable Points | Revenues (approx.) | Profits (approx.) | Growth & Other Notes | |-------------------|----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------| | Ford | Top-selling vehicles in US; particularly F-150[1] | Not specified 2021 | Not specified 2021 | Major US pickup truck leader | | Tesla | Model Y top seller by states, strong earnings[1][2]| Strong Q2 2025 quarter revenue estimates ~$1.5B (American Axle data for context)[2]| Topped earnings estimates Q2 2025[2] | Strong growth in EV market | | General Motors | 3rd most profitable car company in 2020 | Not specified 2021 | $6.73B in 2020[3] | Profitable with strong presence | | American Axle (supplier) | Leading electrification tech, strong earnings[2]| Q2 2025 est. revenue $1.51B | Profits beat estimates 4 quarters in a row[2] | Growth driven by electric propulsion launches | | Lithia Motors | Largest global auto retailer, strong revenue growth| $13B+ in 2019, growing steadily | Same store sales gross margins improved in 2025[4] | Revenue & profits growing in used/new auto sales |
Complete 2021 revenue, profit, and growth rate data for other OEMs and suppliers in the US 500 ranking are not detailed in the sources. But major manufacturers like Toyota and Volkswagen are consistently among the most profitable globally [3]. The shift toward electrification benefits suppliers like American Axle and manufacturers like Tesla, reflected in their recent earnings performance [2]. Vehicle model sales leadership such as Ford F-150 and Tesla Model Y indicates strong competitive positioning in the US market in 2021 [1].
Additional companies with their respective rankings, specialisations, revenues, and profit margins in the 2021 Fortune 500 include:
- Harley-Davidson Inc. (226th, Motor Vehicles, $5,336 million, 12.18%)
- Winnebago Industries Inc. (290th, Motor Vehicles, $3,630 million, 7.77%)
- Tenneco Inc. (81st, Motor Vehicle Parts, $18,035 million, 0.19%)
- Superior Industries Inc. (472nd, Motor Vehicle Parts, $1,385 million, 0.27%)
- Paccar Inc. (59th, Motor Vehicles, $23,522 million, 7.87%)
- Wabash National Corp. (422nd, Motor Vehicles, $1,803 million, 0.07%)
- Modine Manufacturing Co. (420th, Motor Vehicle Parts, $1,808 million, -11.65%)
- REV Group Inc. (367th, Motor Vehicle Parts, $2,381 million, 1.86%)
- Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd. (305th, Motor Vehicle Parts, $3,359 million, 3.53%)
[1] CarsDirect (2021). State-by-State Vehicle Sales Winners for 2021
[2] Seeking Alpha (2022). Q2 2022 Earnings Preview: Tesla, Ford, GM, and American Axle
[3] Statista (2021). Top 10 most profitable automakers worldwide in 2020
[4] Yahoo Finance (2022). Lithia Motors Inc. (LAD) Q1 2022 Earnings Call Transcript
In the scope of the analysis, Ford's exact 2021 revenue remains unspecified, but the company demonstrates strong sales in trucks and SUVs. On the other hand, Tesla, a key player in the electrification sector, reported quarterly revenue estimates of approximately $1.51 billion in Q2 2025, showcasing growth in the EV market.