Hyundai fastest growing auto brand in 2011: Interbrand

Hyundai was the "Fastest Growing Brand" in 2011, according to Interbrand's "2011 Best 100 Global Brands." The Hyundai brand is now ranked 61, with a value of $6 billion, a 19.3 per cent increase over 2010. The Korean automaker experienced faster growth than all other automakers. Hyundai has more than doubled the growth rate of its brand value; prior to 2010, Hyundai's brand value grew at a rate of 9.3 percent.

The average growth rate of the 11 automotive brands included in the top 100 was 8.1 percent, while the average growth rate of all 100 Best Global Brands was only 2.6 percent compared to 2010.

The growth of Hyundai's brand value outstripped that of key competitors, such as Volkswagen (which grew 14 percent) and Audi (13 percent).

The Interbrand rankings are calculated using companies' financial balance sheets combined with marketing activities, while also reflecting each brand's potential profit.

Hyundai stepped up its game at the 2011 Detroit Motor Show, when the company launched the new brand's concept and a commitment to producing "Modern Premium" vehicles. Hyundai's new slogan is, "New Thinking. New Possibilities."

Interbrand noted: "Hyundai displayed the most memorable performance continuing from the previous year despite a growth slowdown of global brands."

Within the automotive category, the top 11 rankings are

1. Toyota
2. Mercedes
3. BMW
4. Honda
5. VW
6. Ford
7. Audi
8. Hyundai
9. Porsche
10. Nisssan 
11. Ferrari