According to the Kogod School of Business, American University in Washington, D.C., a number of Chevy products are at the top of a new list for the most “American Made” cars. The Chevrolet Traverse is in First Place; the Corvette is tied for 5th; the Silverado, Avalanche, Suburban and Tahoe pickups and SUVs are tied for 7th; the Malibu is tied for 10th, and the Camaro is tied for 23rd.

Kogod professor Frank DuBois, who is a global supply chain management expert and a car guy, developed a new index to gain a more accurate take on a car’s country of origin. DuBois believed that the methodology previously used to evaluate an automobile’s country of origin, based on the American Automobile Labeling Act (AALA), was “critically flawed and easily manipulated.”

DuBois began with the AALA Domestic Content Score, then carried the data further by evaluating factors such as the location of the automobile manufacturer’s global headquarters, where the vehicle company’s research and development took place, where the engine and transmission for the car was built, and the location of the car’s final assembly.

In addition, DuBois also took into account the country in which the profits and expenses for the vehicle sales were recorded.

Scores were higher in each category when manufacturing and other operations took place in the United States. Additionally, a car assembled stateside might score a 6 if its research and development was also performed in America, but just a 3 if it was done offshore. If research and development and assembly were performed overseas, the car would score only a 1. As well, a vehicle designed and sourced domestically but assembled outside the United States would score higher than a car built domestically with an imported engine and transmission.

Chevy Hardcore’s take: Assembly seems to be a key to DuBois’ matrix, since that may be where most jobs are in the automobile production, research and design industrial complex. However, the question still remains: What would you rather tinker with on Saturday – a Camaro or a Traverse?