Saleen S7
A very bizarre fact that emerges from the American Automobile industry is that, they have never managed to build a world-class Super Car. The only close ones attempted have been the Corvettes and the ubiquitous Muscle cars, which are more idiosyncratically exclusive to the US than as a universally accepted phenomena. The reasons are several;
Firstly, Americans do not covet Formula one or World Rally racing, which is the definitive breeding ground for cutting-edge engineering breakthroughs and innovations, overtime European engineers are exposed to more world-class technology training and implementation. Over a period of time several technologies developed for the F1 cars have percolated to normal road going cars, some of them vital life saving technologies.
The other important reason, historically Super Car development was a neglected segment in the US, though they have been the pioneers to revolutionize automobile production and consumption, ever since the advent of the Tin Lizzy. However, the one-off Ford Super Car GT40 (one of the greatest Super Cars of all time!) evolved as an exercise in vendetta, one Mr. Enzo Ferrari rubbed Henry Ford II the wrong way due to failure in a murky takeover bid, an enraged Ford, directed his racing division to find a company that could build a Ferrari-beater on the quest to win the International Endurance Racing circuit and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Lola which eventually engineered the GT40 is a UK based company and is the oldest and largest manufacturers of racing cars in the world.
2006 Ford GT based on the legendary GT40
Thirdly, the sophisticated technological base to build such hi-tech Super Cars simply does not exists in the US, majority of Europe's Super Cars employ chassis made of either carbon fiber monocoque, carbon fiber tub or extruded aluminum chassis structure. The body is made of either Kevlar or other advanced composite materials, but on the other hand, many Americans manufacturers still rely on the conventional tubular steel space chassis and frame.
Fourthly, another major drawback are the engines, quality stock engines are not available easily in the US which are as good as the ones from BMW, Volkswagen, Volvo Polestar, AMG, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Renault, Porsche, PSA Peugeot, Citroën, etc., the list goes on.
Hennessey Venom GT
Lastly, their over dependence on local racing programs, such as NASCAR and Indy Car Racing, in all not a great nursery for technological innovation or evolution, the technologies adopted for these events are out of date when compared to the engines, chassis, suspension, body & power train developments that are emerging out of Europe & Japan.
However, things are changing, American car manufacturers now realize that a considerable presence in this segment not only bolsters sales of their collateral but also enhances the company's reputation as a technologically advanced, innovate and mature entity.