Hyundai Motor's Brand Value Reaches Global Top 40, Highest Ever

• Hyundai Motor's brand value exceeds $10 billion for the first time, according to Interbrand's Best Global Brands 2014
• Hyundai Motor is the world's fastest-growing auto brand since 2005
• Hyundai's brand value has been posting two-digit growth since the company implemented its Modern Premium brand direction in 2011 
• "Brand loyalty that comes from an emotional connection are becoming key drivers over price," says Interbrand

MARKHAM, ON, Oct. 9, 2014 /CNW/ - Hyundai Motor Company saw its brand value post another two-digit growth in 2014, fueled by the successful launch of game-changing products such as the all-new Genesis and Sonata, as well as the successful implementation of its Modern Premium brand direction, which has been creating not only a unified image for the brand worldwide, but also an emotional connection with its customers.

The brand value of Hyundai Motor, who has been included in Interbrand's Best 100 Global Brands for 10 consecutive years, surpassed the $10 billion mark for the first time, its highest record so far. This is a 16 percent increase from last year's $9 billion value and a nearly 200 percent jump from its $3.5 billion value in 2005.

"Hyundai Motor is one of the fastest growing automotive brands in terms of both volume and brand value," Interbrand said in a statement. "Hyundai Motor makes unique convenience features available across a broader range of vehicles to enhance driving experience and customer satisfaction, while its commitment to brand building extends to multiple touchpoints. As a result of these efforts, brand awareness of product attributes like design and the kind of brand loyalty that comes from an emotional connection are becoming key drivers over price."

Hyundai Motor, whose brand value ranking rose three notches to reach the top global 40 ranking for the first time this year, is building a loyal fan base through continued enhancements in its product lineup, including innovative eco-friendly products such as the world's first assembly-line produced ix35 (Tucson) Fuel Cell vehicle.

Ongoing investment in the brand, such as active involvement in high-profile sports marketing activites with UEFA, FIFA, and the World Rally Championships also continue. In Seoul, the automaker opened its first brand experience space, Hyundai Motorstudio, while a second one is scheduled to open in Moscow later this year.

In particular, Hyundai Motor's ranking rose 44 notches since 2005, when it first announced its shift to brand management. Also, the brand value has increased an average of 20 percent each year after the company introduced its new brand direction in 2011, called Modern Premium.

"We're implementing a wide variety of brand-related activities that aren't simply focused on increasing sales, but are aimed at becoming a brand that our customers genuinely love," said Won Hong Cho, Hyundai Motor's Chief Marketing Officer. "We will continue to invest in our brand, by providing Hyundai Motor's unique premium experience in all aspects of the customer's journey with our brand."

Hyundai announced its latest brand direction 'Modern Premium' and slogan "New Thinking. New Possibilities" at the 2011 North American International Auto Show. Since then, a wide range of Hyundai Motor's divisions including product development, design, marketing, sales and after sales, have applied the direction to their work in a sustainable, consistent and systematic way. Enhanced global brand awareness and preference of the Hyundai brand through such efforts contributed to the increase in global sales and profits.

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

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HYUNDAI AUTO CANADA CORP.
Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company is committed to becoming a lifetime partner in automobiles and beyond. The company, which leads the Hyundai Motor Group, an innovative business structure capable of circulating resources from molten iron to finished cars, offers top-quality best-sellers such as Elantra, Sonata and Genesis. Hyundai Motor has eight manufacturing bases and seven design & technical centers worldwide and in 2013, sold 4.73 million vehicles globally. With almost 100,000 employees worldwide, Hyundai Motor continues to enhance its product line-up with localized models and strives to strengthen its leadership in clean technology, starting with the world's first mass-produced hydrogen-powered vehicle, ix35 (Tucson) Fuel Cell. 

SOURCE: Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.