Segway, the futuristic-looking self-balancing electric scooter, was first released in 2002. Segway scooters soon became a popular way for tourists to explore new places and even for security guards to get around easier. Segway is still based in New Hampshire but unfortunately struggled in the American market. There are Segways all over the world, and it has become part of the international dictionary.
Because of the struggles, the company was passed through several owners until it was sold in 2015 to Ninebot, a Shanghai-based tech company that produces short-distance motorized transport devices. As of 2023, the company is worth a little over $75 million.
Made Overseas: Tesla
Tesla, the pioneer in American electric vehicles, has been applauded for its brilliance in both green technology and design. The company is headquartered in the United States, but the CEO, Elon Musk, decided to create a production factory in Shanghai, China.
Tesla still maintains its production plant in Fremont, California, and although it has been touted as one of the “most American” cars, only about 50 percent of the parts are made in America. As of today, Tesla is worth more than $650 Billion, making it one of the biggest American names that are made outside of the United States.
Made Overseas: Motorola
Some years ago, Motorola was the number one phone manufacturer, alongside Ericcson, and these were the days before Samsung and Apple became what they are today. No iPhones or Galaxies in sight. It is challenging to find products that are truly made in America, and with cell phones, it’s nearly impossible.
The company was founded by brothers Paul and Joseph Galvin in 1928, who initially named it Galvin Manufacturing Corporation, and has obviously changed and grown since. In 2014, Lenovo, a Chinese smartphone producer, bought the company. While Motorola’s headquarters are at least still in Midwestern America (Chicago, Illinois), like so many other products, their manufacturing takes place in Chinese and even Indian factories.
Made Overseas: LL Bean
LL Bean, the brand known for its outdoor gear and apparel, has supplied Americans with what they need to venture into the wild since 1912. The company is located in Freeport, Maine, where they manufacture their signature boots, outdoor apparel, and household items. While they do make many of their products in the USA, they also have factories in China, India, Mexico, and other overseas locations.
All American Reviews states that LL Bean does, in fact, manufacture many of its products in the U.S. (about 425 out of 5000 products), but this makes their American-made products less than 10% of their production line.
Made Overseas: American Girl Dolls
With a company name like American Girl, you would think the brand would be made entirely in America. But in fact, the varied collection of American Girl dolls are manufactured in China. The company originally made the dolls from their base in Middleton, Wisconsin, before being bought by the big toy brand Mattel in 1998. Today, Mattel makes most American Girl products in Chinese factories, including their doll clothes.
So if you are looking for a real American girl doll, you will have to look elsewhere. We supposed the term American is all about the personality and characteristics of the doll and not necessarily where it's made. Ye, right.