VW Slips on Brand Value List

The Volkswagen brand value declined 4% to $8.4 billion in this year's Brandz top 100 brand value list, which is compiled by the London-based Millward Brown brand research company.

This year's 10 highest-value automotive brands contain four European marques. Toyota, with a value of $29.6 billion, tops the list for the second consecutive year. It is again followed by BMW with a brand value of $25.7 billion.

Third and fourth positions, also unchanged, are held by Mercedes-Benz ($21.5 billion) and Honda ($14.1 billion).

Ford was this year's biggest automotive climber, jumping from seventh in 2013 to fifth this year. Its brand value surged 56% to $11.8 billion. Ford knocked Nissan down to sixth spot, followed by VW and Audi ($7.1 billion).

Chevrolet, new to the list this year, entered in ninth with a value of $4.9 billion. That forced Hyundai down into 10th ($4.6 billion) and pushed Lexus out of the top-10 list.

Millward Brown says the car category gained 17% in brand value this year 2014 compared with 5% growth in 2013.