Toyota Tops Global Auto Brands as Tesla Sees Brand Value Plummet

According to the latest report from Interbrand, Toyota has secured its position as the world’s most valuable automotive brand, increasing its valuation by 2% to USD 74.2 billion. This marks a significant achievement for the Japanese automaker, which ranks sixth overall among all global brands, following tech giants such as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Samsung.

Tesla, which has been a major player in the automotive industry, experienced a dramatic decline in its brand value, dropping by 35% to USD 29.5 billion. This decline has been attributed to escalating competition in the electric vehicle (EV) market, which has intensified in recent years.

Competitive Landscape Shifts

In the automotive category, Toyota is followed by Mercedes-Benz and BMW, which ranked 10th and 14th overall, respectively. Mercedes-Benz saw its brand value decrease by 15% to USD 50.1 billion, while BMW’s value fell by 10% to USD 46.8 billion.

The report also highlighted the entry of China’s BYD into the top 100 brands, debuting at 90th place with a valuation of USD 8.1 billion. Interbrand’s Global Chief Strategy Officer, Manfredi Ricca, described BYD as “the biggest disruptor in the automotive market since Tesla,” citing its product quality and expanding presence in the European market.

Other notable brands in the top 100 include Honda at 29th, Hyundai at 30th, Audi at 52nd, Ferrari at 54th, Volkswagen at 56th, Porsche at 57th, Kia at 89th, and Range Rover at 97th.

Market Trends and Future Outlook

The automotive sector faced challenges this year, with most brands losing ground in brand value. Notable exceptions included Ferrari (+17%), Range Rover (+9%), Hyundai (+7%), and Kia (+5%). In contrast, Nissan recorded a significant decline of 33%.

As the market continues to evolve, Ford and Volvo have been identified as brands to watch in future editions of the report, although they did not make the top 100 list this year.

Interbrand evaluates brand value based on financial performance, the role of the brand in purchase decisions, and overall brand strength, which encompasses customer loyalty and long-term profit sustainability. The insights from this report underscore the rapidly changing dynamics within the automotive industry, particularly as competition in the electric vehicle segment intensifies.

The findings from Interbrand’s 2025 Best Global Brands report reflect broader trends affecting both established and emerging players, marking a pivotal moment in the automotive landscape.