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There was a time when Detroit was the capital of the luxury sedan. Chrome-covered V8-powered cars from Lincoln, Cadillac, and Chrysler were the pinnacle of style, status symbols coveted the world over. But not anymore. Sedan sales have slumped and two of the Detroit Three aren’t even building a luxury sedan in 2024. But back when they did, those cars were assembled in Mexico or Canada. Only Cadillac is still proudly assembling its CT4 and CT5 sedans in Michigan. Here’s what happened to the others.

Lincoln’s final sedan was the MKZ. This mid-size car actually started life as the Zephyr (2006), but became the Lincoln MKZ by 2007. It shared its underpinnings with the Ford Fusion. Both cars offered gasoline-hybrid powertrains and non-hybrid V6s. And both cars were assembled at Ford’s “Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly Plant” which is located in northwestern Mexico, five hours south of Tucson.

Ford Motor Company does build some Lincolns in the U.S. For example, the Lincoln Aviator is built in Chicago, Illinois. But the Lincoln Nautilus is now 100% assembled in China and shipped to the U.S.

The 2024 CT4-V Blackwing offers more power
2024 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing | Cadillac

While many cars were going midsize and FWD, Dodge proudly rolled out a new four-door, RWD sedan in 2005: the reincarnated Dodge Charger. Chrysler Corporation sold the same chassis badged as the Chrysler 300. It was always built at one of Chrysler’s plants across the river from Detroit, in Ontario. By the end of the Chrysler 300’s run, its Hemi V8 engines were only built at the company’s engine plant in Saltillo, Mexico.

For the time being, the only Chrysler for sale is the Pacifica minivan. It is built in Windsor, Ontario. Chrysler Corporation still builds its Jeep Wrangler, Gladiator, Cherokee L, Wagoneer, and Grand Wagoneer in the U.S.–alongside the Ram 1500 pickup trucks.

Even after Chrysler Corporation and Ford Motor Company moved all sedan production out of the country, General Motors proudly kept building sedans at its Lansing Grand River Assembly facility in Michigan. And it still builds them to this day. If you want a luxury sedan from GM, you can choose between either the midsize Cadillac CT4 or the full-size Cadillac CT5. The latter of which is available with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the “Blackwing” trim. If you want a cheaper sedan, the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu (which is on the same chassis as the CT4) starts at $25,100.

Next, read about the popular midsize pickup truck just moved 100% of production to Mexico, or learn how American your car is in the video below:

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.