Since debuting in 2005 on the annual Best Global Brands list, Hyundai has registered steady annual growth in its global brand value. In the latest study, Hyundai ranked eighth among global automakers, ahead of several prominent competitor brands including Porsche, Lexus and Nissan. By region, Hyundai saw its largest gains in brand value in India, Korea and emerging markets like Russia and Brazil.

Korea’s leading automaker has grown in prominence on the global stage thanks to steady improvements in the quality and design of its vehicles, and rapid globalization efforts that have provided Hyundai with a manufacturing foothold in the key emerging markets of India and China.

“Our investment into continuous quality improvement has provided us with the momentum we need to grow the Hyundai brand globally,” said Vice Chairman and CEO Dong-Jin Kim.

Perceptions of the Hyundai brand among new car buyers have been transformed as a result of dramatic improvements in the quality and styling of Hyundai vehicles. This, in turn, has fuelled a steady increase in sales and confidence in the brand among both customers and dealers. Brand management is a top priority at Hyundai. Brand management considerations influence decision-making at all levels of the organization, from styling and marketing to communications, retail and after-sales service.  

Interbrand (www.interbrand.com), the leading brand consultancy, was founded in 1974. Interbrand has offices in over 30 cities in more than 20 countries around the globe and clients from among the most respected businesses.

BusinessWeek is a leading global business media organization which was founded in 1929 and is published by the McGraw-Hill Companies. BusinessWeek has more than 4.8 million readers each week in 140 countries. For the 2008 Top Global Brands study, go to: http://images.businessweek.com/ss/08/09/0918_best_brands/index.htm

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through almost 800 dealerships nationwide.

HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY 

Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Co. has grown into the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group which was ranked as the world’s fifth-largest automaker in 2007 and includes over two dozen auto-related subsidiaries and affiliates. Employing over 75,000 people worldwide, Hyundai Motor posted sales of US$74.9 billion in 2007 on a consolidated-basis and US$32.8 billion on a non-consolidated basis (using the average currency exchange of 929 won per US dollar). Hyundai vehicles are sold in 193 countries through some 6,000 dealerships and showrooms. Further information about Hyundai Motor Co. and its products is available at http://www.hyundai-motor.com