There aren’t many TV ads you can enjoy watching over and over, but the ad for the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of them.

“The things that make us Americans are the things we make,” intones an announcer to vintage footage of rail spikes being driven, a locomotive racing across the skyline and a blast furnace turning iron into steel.

“This has always been a nation of builders and craftsmen,” the ad continues, “men and women for whom straight stitches and clean welds were matters of personal pride.”

“Yes!” You are tempted to yell. “Damn right!”

The ad itself, of course, is an example of something Americans do really well — short, emotional videos designed to sell stuff.

Sadly, many of us would trade in a minute our excellence in special effects and cinematography for the days when America dominated the world with high-quality manufactured products.

Perhaps the new Jeep Cherokee will be part of a trend; we hope so.

The latest survey by J.D. Power and Associates gives us reason to think it might. For the first time in 24 years, U.S. automakers have surpassed foreign brands in measurements of quality as reported by owners.

Vehicles made in the U.S. had fewer problems on average during the first 90 days of ownership than those built by foreign firms.

The margin of victory was narrow. Foreign makers had 109 problems reported per 100 vehicles sold; U.S. makers had 108.

Individual luxury brands still hold the top spots: Porsche, Acura and Mercedes-Benz. Land Rover had the worst record — 170 problems per 100 vehicles. The British have always had a hard time making reliable vehicles.

But in the much broader range of vehicles most people can afford to buy and own, Ford was the best scorer with 93 problems per 100 vehicles.

Ford’s emphasis on quality manufacturing seems to be paying dividends for the firm and its shareholders. The company made $2.6 billion from April through June, its fifth straight profitable quarter.

The company sells the most popular pickup truck in the country, the F-Series, and the most popular crossover SUV, the Escape.

The foundation for Ford’s success was lain more than four years ago and involved retooling its designs, factories and sales strategy. It’s now paying off.

Ford has also benefited from the public goodwill it earned by not seeking federal bailout money.

While the auto industry seems to be turning around, American manufacturing remains on the ropes, largely due to currency manipulation, competitive trade practices and extremely high health care costs.

Jeep calls its new ad for the Cherokee a “manifesto,” suggesting it is not just a TV ad but a statement of principles and intentions.

“This was once a country where people made things, beautiful things, and so it is again,” according to the ad.

We’re clearly not there yet. But the auto industry’s progress in building higher-quality cars at competitive prices demonstrates the path to that point.

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