10 Iconic American Products That Are No Longer Made in America
America has given the world some legendary products: jeans, motorcycles, and gadgets. Yet here’s the twist: some of these all-American icons aren’t made in America anymore. Which classic brands packed their bags and set up shop elsewhere? This list will discuss the unexpected places where these iconic products are now made.
Levi’s Jeans
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Levi’s started in the 1800s as durable work pants for gold miners, and over time, they became a global fashion staple. The rugged denim, copper rivets, and little red tab are all classic Americana. Now, they’re primarily made in countries like Mexico, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. The company closed its last U.S. factories in 2003 due to high production costs.
Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars
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Chuck Taylor is as American as rock and roll, but since 2001, they haven’t been made in the U.S. anymore. Converse, once an independent brand, struggled financially and was eventually bought by Nike. Production was outsourced to countries like Vietnam and Indonesia, where costs were lower.
Barbie Dolls
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Barbie strutted onto the scene in 1959 and instantly became a childhood icon. She was made in America for years and inspired generations with her endless careers and outfits. Today, Barbie calls China home. Mattel moved production overseas in the 1980s to cut costs. She’s still designed in California but not manufactured there anymore.
Lionel Trains
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Lionel trains chugged along under Christmas trees. The intricate, American-made locomotives were a staple of childhood in the mid-1900s. It shifted most of its production overseas, mainly to Korea and China. If you want an old-school, U.S.-built Lionel train, your best bet is to browse antique shops and online auctions.
RCA Televisions
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There was a time when RCA televisions were in nearly every American living room. The company helped pioneer TV technology and its sets were built in the U.S. for decades. But by the late 20th century, RCA’s fate changed. The brand was sold, factories closed, and production moved to countries like China and Taiwan.
Huffy Bicycles
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A Huffy bike was a rite of passage for kids in the 20th century. The Ohio-based company built millions of sturdy bikes that were proudly made in America. That changed in the 1990s when Huffy struggled to compete with cheaper imports. In 1999, the company shut down its last U.S. factory and shifted production to China and Mexico.
Rawlings Baseballs
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It doesn’t get more American than baseball, but oddly enough, the official baseballs used in Major League Baseball aren’t made in the U.S. Rawlings, the company that supplies MLB, has been manufacturing its baseballs in Costa Rica since the late 1980s. While Rawlings is still an American company, the hands that stitch balls belong to workers thousands of miles away.
Radio Flyer Wagons
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That shiny red wagon rolling down the sidewalk is probably made in China now. Radio Flyer, the company that gave generations of kids their first set of wheels, used to manufacture all its wagons in Chicago. However, to stay competitive, they moved most of their production overseas.
Winchester Rifles
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Once called “The Gun That Won the West,” Winchester rifles have a legendary place in American history. Cowboys, soldiers, and hunters alike relied on these firearms, which were made in the U.S. for over a century. The last Winchester factory in New Haven, Connecticut, shut down in 2006. While the brand still exists, many modern Winchesters are made in Belgium and Japan.
Griswold Cast Iron Cookware
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Griswold pans were the gold standard of cast iron cookware for decades. They were made in Pennsylvania from the late 1800s to the 1950s and are famous for their smooth, well-seasoned surfaces that made cooking a breeze. Then, production stopped. The company changed hands multiple times, and Griswold skillets vanished from American factories.
Etch A Sketch
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Etch A Sketch was sold in 1960 and became a childhood staple for generations. The company moved production to China to cut costs in 2000. If you still have an old-school, U.S.-made Etch A Sketch, consider yourself lucky. The newer ones might still be fun, but they’re missing that homegrown touch of the originals.
Sylvania Light Bulbs
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There was a time when Sylvania was a leader in American-made light bulbs, but like many other companies, it eventually moved production overseas. China’s cheap labor and manufacturing costs led to a shift away from U.S. factories. While the brand still exists, most bulbs no longer come from American plants.
American Girl Dolls
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These dolls were once the ultimate childhood toy with a unique backstory and an inspiring message. American Girl dolls haven’t been made in the U.S. for years despite their American name. Production has taken place in China since the 1990s. The shift was part of a cost-cutting move by parent company Mattel.
Whirlpool Appliances
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Whirlpool has shifted much of its manufacturing overseas. Though some appliances are still assembled in the U.S., key parts and products come from countries like Mexico and China. This business decision has helped Whirlpool compete globally, but for customers who want a fully American-made washer or fridge, it’s a frustrating reality.