Toyota reclaimed the top spot as the most valuable automotive brand in the BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands 2013 published today.

Toyota’s brand value increased by 12 per cent to $24.5 billion (£16.2 billion), making it one of the biggest movers in the automotive sector.

Meanwhile, BMW were pushed into second spot, with its brand value standing at $24 billion. 

But Toyota was not the stand-out star, with a huge growth in brand value of 11 per cent for Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai. Audi became the fastest growing most valuable brand with 18 per cent growth. 

Despite this, the brand values of the top ten car manufacturers remained at 71 per cent of their pre-recession levels. 

In the eight years since the BrandZ report was first published in 2006, Toyota was crowned brand value leader in the automotive sector six times, and second on two separate occasions.

According to the report, although automotive sales improved in some regions, they remained below pre-recession levels in others, adversely impacting overall brand values. In contrast, global sales for Toyota in 2012 increased by 22.6 per cent to 9.75 million units which positively contributed towards the company’s brand valuation in this year’s report.

BrandZ also suggests that brand value developments in the sector were shaped in part by the growth of customer affinity towards hybrid vehicles.

Since Toyota pioneered the world’s first mass produced full hybrid vehicle in 1997 – the Toyota Prius – sales of Toyota and Lexus hybrid models have exceeded five million globally. 

UK customers can choose from the widest range of hybrid vehicles of any manufacturer including the Yaris Hybrid, Auris Hybrid, Auris Hybrid Touring Sports, Prius, Prius+, Prius Plug-in Hybrid, and Lexus CT 200h, IS 300h, GS 450h, RX 450h and the LS 600h.

Lexus retains its tenth position in the Top 10 list for the most valuable automotive brands with a brand value of $3.5 billion (£2.3 billion).

The BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands report, commissioned by WPP and conducted by Millward Brown Optimor, surveys some two million consumers in over 30 countries.

Car safety innovations have had little impact on reducing whiplash injuries ONE of world's most prominent orthopaedic surgeons believes car manufacturers have not done enough to reduce whiplash injuries, despite claims having fallen by 24,000 in the last year.Sanjiv Jari, w

Europe on verge of creating 400,000 jobs in free trade agreement with Japan to allow EU-built cars to ‘compete on an equal footing’ in the Far East Europe’s automotive industry is calling for Japan to bring a halt to the drawn-out process of selling EU-built cars in the Far Eastern country, with the European Union (EU) launching a free trade ag

Used LCV values rise in March, as ‘continued shortage of stock helps to drive demand and keep prices firm’, says British Car Auctions USED LCV values have risen again in March to a record high of £4,860, while the value of the average used car sold at auction decreased to £7,000.The average March figure of £4,860 for all LCVs was

INTERVIEW: Ernst Reim, Chief Interior Designer for Ford of Europe reveals how future looks more 'premium'.  He's overseen the interior designs of the latest Fiesta, Mondeo, Focus, B-Max and C-Max. Ernst Reim is the Chief Interior Designer for Ford of Europe - the company behind some Britain's best-selling... 

New Alfa MiTo now on sale in UK for £14,350.      New model year Alfa MiTo now on sale in the UK priced from £14,350 OTR    Highlights include revamped interior and new 105hp TwinAir engine    Streamlined model ran... 

Electric Kia Soul is coming to Britain.  The all-electric version of the new Kia Soul is definitely coming to the UK, but the company is still debating whether the batteries will be part of the sales package or supplied on a monthly lease ... 

Mitsubishi to unveil three unseens concept models at November's Tokyo Motor Show.  Mitsubishi will unveil three world premiere concept vehicles at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show later next month.The company says the new concepts incorporate a new design identity that symbolises the sen... 

Magical: Arsenal's Olivier Giroud, Aaron Ramsey, Per Mertesacker and Wojciech Szczesny star in Citroen's latest pub.  Citroën, Arsenal Football Club's automotive sponsor, has unveiled a new campaign featuring four of its most prominent players. Olivier Giroud, Aaron Ramsey, Per Mertesacker and Wojciech Szczesny sta... 

As Autumn kicks in, what should motorists do and how should we prepare for the slippery conditions?.  St Jude’s Storm has caused chaos for millions of motorists and commuters travelling to work by car or train. Storms with winds of up to 99mph have destroyed thousands of trees across the countr... 

Scotland's pedestrian and cyclist deaths rocket to 66, as drivers are urged 'to keep their speed down'.  Road safety charity RoSPA is again calling for safer roads for pedestrians and cyclists, and better driver awareness, following the publication of annual casualty statistics for Scotland which show ... 

Construction of Europe's first Infiniti production facilities begins at gigantic Sunderland plant.  - 1,000 jobs to result from £250m investment for Infiniti Q30 production.- Two extensions to be constructed: a trim and chassis shop and a body shop.Construction of the first Infiniti production fac... 

Luxury Car Conversion: Carisma Auto Design transforms Cadillac Escalade into motoring paradise.  A luxury car conversion company has put the finishing touches to a bespoke conversion of one of the largest SUVs on the planet – the Cadillac Escalade.Having been approached by the owner of the Amer... 

INTERVIEW: automotive designer David Hilton, Motorcity Europe founder and former Head of Exterior Design for Bentle.  What is the most challenging aspect of designing new cars suitable for the production line?Money and time. Every different brand has its different limitations. Some brands can only survive at the mi... 

Britain's biggest baby boom in 40 years boosts child car seat market, but what rules must parents follow?.  A little over two months ago, it was reported that the UK had experienced its largest baby boom in four decades, with 813,200 births in the year up to June 30, 2012.It was the largest rise of any Eu... 

Like many popular websites, Motortrades Insight uses some third party widgets that may set and may have already set cookies, for example the Twitter feed on our homepage. For more information see our cookie policy. By clicking close and continue you agree to our use of cookies.