Hyundai continues fastest growing trend

Hyundai has been recognised as the fastest-growing automotive brand. Photo / Supplied

For the second year running, Hyundai has been named by global brand consultancy Interbrand as the fastest-growing automotive brand.

This year saw the company rise four places to number 61 in the top 100 annual ranking of the world's 100 best global brands.

Interbrand calculates rankings based on company balance sheets, marketing activities and each brand's potential profit.

The organisation said Hyundai "displayed the most memorable performance continuing from the previous year, despite the growth slowdown of global brands".

Hyundai's brand value increased from US$3.5 billion in 2005 to US$6 billion ($7.8 billion) in 2011.

"This award recognises the strong growth Hyundai continues to experience at a local level in New Zealand and Internationally," says Hyundai NZ chief operating officer Tom Ruddenklau.

In New Zealand, sales of Hyundai vehicles are up 27 per cent compared with 2010, at a time when the overall New Zealand automotive industry grew by just 8.2 per cent.

In August, Hyundai NZ achieved the highest number of sales in its 29-year history. Ruddenklau says the brand's popularity continues to go from strength to strength.

"We are confident that momentum will continue to grow as we gear up for the launch of the i40 wagon and Veloster models later this year."