Founded in 1993, the AutoVision Awards has grown into one of the most recognized and respected automotive evaluation platforms worldwide, widely acclaimed in the global automotive industry and known as the ‘Oscars of the Automotive Industry’.

In recent years, the rapid rise of new energy vehicles has ushered the automotive industry into a new era defined by technological innovation and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). Cars are no longer just a means of transport, but are gradually evolving into an intelligent terminal system that encompasses technology integration, sustainability and social interaction. Exploring the integration of new energy, intelligence and scenarios has become a new path for the future development of the automotive industry.

To provide a more comprehensive and in-depth analysis of automotive brands, we have developed a brand value evaluation system. This framework is built around six key dimensions: market performance, brand value, growth potential, innovation capability, ESG considerations, and brand communication effectiveness, aiming to deliver a holistic assessment of the current state of automotive brands.

To ensure the evaluation aligns closely with consumer behavior and real-world brand dynamics, we have integrated data from major social media platforms such as Instagram and Weibo. Additionally, we have invited automotive observers (consumer representatives) from around the world to contribute subjective assessments, ensuring the evaluation is diverse and inclusive.

For data collection, we have integrated financial reports of publicly listed companies, publicly available information, data from international professional organizations and industry associations, as well as online evaluation data, including algorithmic analysis results. Additionally, we have incorporated statistical data from major social media platforms. Through real-time interactions and cross-validation, we ensure a rigorous and scientific evaluation process, ultimately delivering comprehensive, objective, and accurate assessments. While we strive for excellence, there may still be areas for improvement, and we welcome feedback and suggestions from industry peers and automotive brands.

2024 AutoVision Global Automotive Brand Value Evaluation Report

Volkswagen (Germany), Toyota (Japan), and Hyundai/Kia (South Korea) continue to lead the brand value rankings. These three brands maintain their dominance in global sales while excelling in market valuation, innovation capability, environmental investments, and social responsibility initiatives. However, new entrants, such as BYD and Tesla, are rapidly closing the gap by capitalizing on opportunities within the new energy vehicle sector. BYD has recorded the highest growth this year, while Tesla, despite experiencing a decline, continues to hold significant symbolic value in the new energy vehicle market.

The rankings show that Chinese automotive brands are rapidly rising. Eight Chinese brands made it onto the list, with two securing spots in the top 10. This not only highlights the world-class manufacturing capabilities of Chinese automakers but also underscores the growing brand value of these companies.German automotive brands continue to maintain a strong position, with three companies occupying the 1st, 6th, and 7th positions. Through flexible market competition strategies, modular innovation capabilities, and sustained brand influence, German automotive brands have demonstrated strong adaptability amidst intense market competition and the rapid development of new energy vehicles.

The influence of Japanese cars cannot be underestimated. Five brands - Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda and Suzuki - made the list. Japanese car companies cater to the needs of consumers in different regions and market segments by offering a wide range of customization models. However, the current challenges faced by Japanese automotive carmakers from established competitors such as Volkswagen and emerging Chinese brands are forcing them to constantly accelerate the pace of innovation in an effort to maintain their dominant position in the new competitive landscape.

It is worth emphasizing that in the new round of market adjustments, car companies have generally increased their investment in environmental and social responsibility. The top rankings include not only the famous three German car companies, but also Japanese and Korean brands. This highlights the fact that sustainable development has been transformed from a concept to a core driver of technological innovation. Automakers are putting sustainability into practice by developing environmentally friendly vehicles, optimizing production processes to reduce carbon emissions, and participating in environmental projects. This sustainable development philosophy is integrated into their strategic planning, supply chain management, marketing, and corporate culture. With growing consumer awareness of environmental issues and the global focus on climate change, investments in environmental protection and social responsibility have become key factors influencing automaker brand value. They also represent a positive response to global sustainability goals, reflecting the responsibility and commitment automakers have towards society.

Data shows that Geely, through a strategy combining independent research and development with international collaboration, has made continuous breakthroughs in areas such as new energy and intelligent connected vehicles. Its innovative achievements have not only enhanced its brand influence but also positioned it at the forefront in the latest round of market adjustments. This success is closely tied to Geely’s long-standing commitment to innovation and data-driven decision-making. German automotive companies still rely on their deep engineering and design heritage, and continue to lead the trend in high-efficiency power, lightweight materials, autonomous driving technology, etc., and consolidate their leading position in the global automotive market.

With the evolution of marketing strategies, social media has become the preferred channel for automakers to directly engage with consumers. Brands such as BYD, Mercedes-Benz, and Tesla have shown outstanding performance in the Weibo Index, not only earning consumer praise but also significantly enhancing their influence in the Chinese market, thereby driving sales growth.

2024 Global Automotive Brand Value Ranking

Ranking	Country	Manufacturer (Brand)	Overall Score
1	Germany	Volkswagen	65.69
2	Japan	Toyota	60.20
3	South Korea	Hyundai	57.03
4	China	BYD	56.21
5	USA	Tesla	51.03
6	Germany	Mercedes-Benz	50.14
7	Germany	BMW	50.13
8	Netherlands	Stellantis	49.21
9	China	Geely	46.54
10	USA	Ford	46.31
11	Japan	Honda	46.10
12	USA	General Motors (GM)	44.24
13	Japan	Nissan	43.99
14	China	SAIC	34.05
15	France	Renault	30.06
16	China	FAW	29.81
17	South Korea	Kia	29.34
18	India	Tata	28.88
19	Japan	Suzuki	26.73
20	Germany	Daimler Trucks	24.68
23	China	Changan	22.20
21	China	BAIC	21.77
23	Japan	Mazda	19.97
24	China	GAC	19.93
25	China	Chery	19.46

Data Source: AutoVision

Data Analysis

Volkswagen's Continued Breakthroughs in the Face of New Energy Challenges

Volkswagen continues to dominate the brand value rankings, thanks to its ongoing product innovation and diversified market strategies. Research shows that Volkswagen's "hybrid strategy" has played a key role in addressing the challenges of the new energy market. At the same time, Volkswagen maintains strong competitiveness in the traditional internal combustion engine sector. This integrated competitive strategy ensures Volkswagen's flexibility, allowing it to compete across multiple domains.

One of the key factors behind Volkswagen's success is its cutting-edge product portfolio. For example, the latest Golf GTI is equipped with advanced intelligent technologies, meeting the growing market demand for smart driving solutions, and further consolidating its leadership in this segment. This strategic focus has earned Volkswagen an impressive score of 65.69 (out of 100) in the brand value assessment.

Volkswagen's vast global market network is also a crucial cornerstone of its success. With a robust production and distribution system, Volkswagen is able to quickly adapt to shifts in market trends and consumer preferences. By launching new models, optimizing its product portfolio, and fully leveraging its extensive supply chain, Volkswagen consistently maintains a strong competitive edge in the global automotive industry, demonstrating its ability to remain resilient in an increasingly competitive environment.

Brand reputation and consumer trust are the foundation of Volkswagen's market value. Volkswagen's products have always been closely associated with high quality and reliability, and have won wide recognition from consumers. This positive brand image, built up over many years, is not the result of a momentary internet sensation, but rather the result of a long history of steady performance in terms of product quality and customer satisfaction, reflecting Volkswagen's unremitting efforts to build trust and create a strong brand image.

In addition, Volkswagen's active commitment in sustainability and social responsibility has further enhanced its brand value. By strongly promoting electric vehicles and energy-saving technologies, Volkswagen plays a significant role in global environmental efforts. The company also actively participates in corporate social responsibility projects, such as charitable donations and community activities, demonstrating its strong commitment to long-term growth and sustainable development.

In conclusion, while maintaining its competitive advantage, Volkswagen actively addresses the challenges of the new energy transformation, showcasing its strategic foresight and exceptional operational capabilities. By balancing innovation, market adaptability, and sustainable development practices, Volkswagen continues to strengthen its leadership position in the global automotive industry.

Toyota's Brand Resilience and Adaptive Strategy

Toyota's long-term leadership in the global automotive industry is due to a unique blend of enduring principles and agile transformation. Since the company's inception, Toyota has remained steadfast in its commitment to quality as its primary standard. From the optimization of production lines to the careful selection of components, Toyota has made the highest quality a relentless pursuit in every aspect of production. This has not only earned Toyota a good reputation around the world, but has also cultivated a large number of loyal customers.

Continuous innovation is at the core of Toyota's strategic framework. While respecting traditional technologies, Toyota actively explores new ones. From hybrid vehicles to fuel cell electric vehicles, Toyota demonstrates its determination to push the boundaries of technology, continuously launching products that meet the ever-changing needs of consumers. This approach has allowed Toyota to maintain its leadership position in a highly competitive market.

Customer focus is another important cornerstone of Toyota's operating philosophy. Toyota understands the importance of customer needs, and therefore continuously improves its products through in-depth market research and professional customer service to ensure that Toyota's vehicles meet the preferences and needs of different consumers, thereby enhancing its competitive advantage in different markets.

The globalization strategy has also played a key role. By establishing production facilities and distribution networks around the world, Toyota has achieved an efficient allocation of resources and expanded its market coverage. This globalization has not only enabled Toyota to adapt quickly to local market conditions, but has also helped it to grasp global trends in a comprehensive manner so that it can respond effectively to changes in consumer preferences.

In addition, diversification is a key step in Toyota's strategy. Toyota has expanded its product lineup to include passenger cars, SUVs, MPVs and pickup trucks, which meets the diversified needs of different customer groups, effectively expands the brand's influence, and consolidates its leadership position in the market segments.

Finally, digital transformation is a significant shift in Toyota's strategic layout. Toyota actively adopts smart manufacturing, connected vehicles, and autonomous driving technologies, redefining the future of mobility. This not only enhances Toyota's operational efficiency but also provides consumers with a more convenient and intelligent travel experience. In short, Toyota's continued success is rooted in its adherence to the values of product quality, continuous innovation and customer focus, complemented by strategic global expansion and aggressive digital transformation. Together, these factors have made Toyota a leader in the automotive industry, setting a new benchmark for industry excellence.

Tesla Achieves Unique Brand Value Through Technological Innovation

Elon Musk's role as Tesla's brand icon is emblematic of the company, but it has also sparked ongoing controversy. Despite the negative growth of Tesla in 2024, it has not prevented it from becoming an icon for the future of new energy vehicles and the industry. Tesla's brand is strong and its leadership position in the new energy vehicle industry remains solid. Tesla's core brand remains strong and the consumer base has shown great loyalty to it.

Researchers point out that Tesla continuously attracts consumers and maintains investor confidence through ongoing innovation. Tesla's innovative technology is evident not only at the product level but also in its market performance. Tesla holds over 15% of the global electric vehicle market share, with its sales growth and stock price surge driven by technological innovation. Tesla's electric vehicles stand out due to their exceptional performance, advanced technology, and unique design, attracting a large number of consumers, generating substantial revenue, and boosting investor confidence.

Technological innovation has enabled Tesla to take the lead in a number of areas: superior performance, leading battery technology, breakthroughs in Autopilot, unique software update mechanisms, sustainability and environmental principles, and market success. These advantages have made Tesla the leading brand in the new energy field, attracting consumers and investors, and thus establishing its leadership in the new energy vehicle field.

BYD Marks the Steady Rise of Chinese Automotive Brands in the Global Market

BYD's rapid development reflects the steady rise of Chinese automotive brands in the global market. Fueled by technological innovation and effective market strategies, BYD's brand value has swiftly ascended to fourth place in the rankings, achieving remarkable success in the new energy vehicle sector.

In terms of technological strength, BYD has demonstrated extraordinary strength in key areas such as battery systems and hybrid powertrain development, and has successfully brought to market many innovative technologies such as blade batteries, the DM-i hybrid powertrain, and advanced energy-saving vehicle architectures. These technologies have not only enhanced vehicle performance, but also made significant breakthroughs in safety and energy efficiency.

In terms of R&D investment, BYD allocates significant resources each year, employing over 100,000 specialized engineers focused on innovation. This commitment has resulted in the establishment of one of the largest automotive R&D facilities in the world, providing a solid foundation for continuous innovation.

In terms of market performance, BYD has achieved remarkable results, with global sales reaching 4.27 million units in 2024, dominating the new energy vehicle market in more than a dozen countries, including Singapore, and its global market share continues to climb, which fully proves the market competitiveness of BYD's products and consumer recognition.

In addition to its outstanding achievements in technology and business, BYD is also active in sustainability and social responsibility. The company has demonstrated its strong commitment to corporate sustainability through a series of environmental and public welfare initiatives. In the production process, BYD actively adopts lightweight materials and energy-saving technologies, significantly reducing carbon emissions and improving fuel efficiency, contributing to environmental protection.

BYD's outstanding achievements across various aspects have made it a model in the automotive industry for innovation, market leadership, and sustainable development practices. Not only has it significantly contributed to the growth of the Chinese automotive industry, but it has also provided valuable experience and insights for the advancement of the global automotive industry.

Ford demonstrates strong market resilience

Ford has also demonstrated strong market resilience in the fast-growing new energy vehicle industry. Despite falling in the brand value rankings, Ford remains a strong force in the competitive electric vehicle landscape. Strong sales performance and continued market valuation highlight Ford's agility and strategic foresight in adapting to global automotive trends. In 2024, Ford continued to expand its electric vehicle lineup, launching models such as the Mustang Electric, F-150 Lightning, and E-Transit to meet the growing demand for new energy vehicles. Additionally, Ford plans to introduce an all-electric version of the Explorer in Europe, marking its entry into key international markets.

Ford has also made significant advancements in smart technology and vehicle connectivity. The integration of the Blue Cruise driver assistance system, supported by the 8155 chip, has enhanced vehicle performance and intelligence. Additionally, the Co-Pilot360™ advanced driver assistance system offers a low-latency, safe, and intelligent driving experience. Ford's focus on sustainable materials and Eco-friendly manufacturing cannot be ignored. Through innovations such as seat upholstery made from recycled plastic bottles, acoustic insulation made from denim waste and cargo hold linings made from bamboo fiber, Ford is actively reducing its reliance on traditional synthetic materials and minimizing the environmental impact of its production.

Overall, Ford has achieved remarkable market success through innovative products, high-quality services, and forward-looking strategies. In 2024, Ford made significant progress in areas such as electric vehicle transformation, advancements in intelligent technology, the use of sustainable materials, supply chain management, outdoor lifestyle branding, and overall market performance. This not only enhanced its brand value and competitive edge but also solidified its position as a leader in the rapid transformation of the electric vehicle industry.

Green sustainable development is the direction for the future of smart mobility

Driven by the increasing environmental awareness and continuous technological advancements, the automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation towards sustainability and innovation. The key points include:

• 1. Industry Transformation: In order to compete with companies like Tesla, traditional automakers such as Ford and Volkswagen are making substantial investments in the new energy vehicle (NEV) sector, accelerating technological advancements in areas such as battery technology, electric motors, and control systems.
• 2. Technological Advancements: Electric vehicles (EVs) have made significant technological progress, with improvements in battery density, shorter charging times, and increased driving range, greatly enhancing their competitiveness compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. At the same time, features like Tesla's Autopilot and the communication between vehicles and infrastructure have not only enhanced driving safety but also effectively optimized traffic flow and reduced energy consumption.
• 3. Sustainability: The concepts of the sharing economy and circular economy are increasingly valued in the automotive industry, driving the recycling and reuse of end-of-life vehicles. Companies like Volkswagen and Toyota are reapplying recycled materials into new production processes, thereby reducing reliance on resource extraction. This has significant implications for mitigating environmental pollution, reducing waste, and minimizing resource consumption.
• 4. Consumer Impact: Consumers' growing awareness of environmental protection and increasing demand for low-emission, high-efficiency vehicles are strongly driving the automotive industry to innovate in technology and business models.
• 5. Challenges and Future Outlook: The transition to sustainable practices has not been easy, with the industry facing challenges such as the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and regulatory policy adjustments. However, competition between traditional manufacturers and Tesla and others is expected to drive continued advancement in electric vehicle technology and increase product affordability.

In summary, the automotive industry is moving steadily towards a more sustainable and innovative future, and significant breakthroughs have been made in new energy vehicle technology and sustainable development, but there is still a need to further strengthen infrastructure development, increase policy support, and enhance consumer education in the future.

Conclusion

This report evaluates the brand value and market performance of global automobile manufacturers. German automakers, with their exceptional product innovation, strategic market planning, and strong brand influence, continue to solidify their leadership position in the global automotive industry. Japanese automakers excelled in quality, reliability and global market penetration. South Korean automakers have also demonstrated impressive capabilities.

It is worth mentioning that Chinese automakers have shown rapid growth, with eight companies ranking high, reflecting the rapid development of China's automotive industry and the significant increase in brand value, which means that Chinese automotive brands are gradually narrowing the gap with the leading international brands and steadily progressing towards the goal of entering the global market. However, in order to achieve this goal, it is still necessary to make breakthroughs in technological innovation, and at the same time learn from the development experience of other countries' automotive manufacturers in brand strategy and market expansion, so as to satisfy the needs of different markets and consumers around the world, and win the trust and favour of global consumers. This is undoubtedly an arduous but significant task.

In the future, automotive technology will develop in a diversified direction. In addition to pure electric vehicles, zero-emission hybrid vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, and other models will also progress simultaneously to meet the green and low-carbon needs of various industries, market characteristics, and usage scenarios. Furthermore, the application of new powertrain systems, such as plug-in hybrid vehicles (including range-extended hybrid vehicles), will further expand the choices available to consumers.

This report aims to provide valuable reference information for professionals, investors, and consumers in the global automotive industry, helping the industry achieve more stable and sustainable development. We look forward to collaborating with outstanding automotive manufacturers worldwide to jointly drive the automotive industry toward prosperity and contribute to creating a better future for society as a whole.