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Hyundai Leads 2012 Auto Brands in Innovation Ranking

Volkswagen falls 30 places compared to last year

Ten automakers made the ranking of Boston Consulting Group's 2012 list of 50 Most Innovative Companies, and HyundaiHyundaiRepublic of Korea, 1967 > present79 models
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led the rankings. Perhaps most surprisingly VolkswagenVolkswagenGermany, 1938 > present98 models
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fell 30 places from 15th in 2010 to 45th in 2012, and it was the lowest placed of the automotive brands.

Taking ten of the 50 spots is the best that the auto industry has done in the ranking since Boston Consulting Group started the survey in 2005. Apple, Google and Samsung took the top three spots.

The ranking is created by surveying 1,512 senior executives from major companies, 54 from automotive companies, and combining those data with the company's shareholder returns, revenue growth and margin growth from the last three years. For the automotive brands, a high-ranking brand had to be making innovations in lowering costs or innovating in hybrid and electric powertrains.

"Innovation is about bringing something new to the market that is accepted and monetized by the customer," said report co-author Hadi Zablit.

Hyundai was ranked tenth on the list but was the highest place automotive brand. It was followed by ToyotaToyotaJapan, 1937 > present155 models
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in eleventh overall, FordFordUnited States of America, 1903 > present92 models
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in 12th overall, KiaKiaRepublic of Korea, 1944 > present52 models
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in 13th overall and BMWBMWGermany, 1918 > present87 models
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in 14th overall. NissanNissanJapan, 1932 > present159 models
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was in 22nd, AudiAudiGermany, 1909 > present83 models
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in 25th, GMGMUnited States of America, 1998 > present8 models
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in 29th, RenaultRenaultFrance, 1898 > present189 models
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in 34th and VW in 45th.

Hyundai had ranked 22nd in the last survey in 2010. It is Kia's first time on the list. The only brands to be on every innovation survey from Boston Consulting Group are Toyota and BMW. Honda had been on the list every time except for this year.

1. Hyundai

Hyundai moved up 12 spots from the 2010 ranking. The company has continued to offer inexpensive cars with cutting edge technology. It has been able to use one platform to underpin multiple cars to save money.

2. Toyota

Toyota has been the market leaders in hybrids and is currently the world's largest automaker in terms of unit sales. It says that all of its cars will offer a hybrid engine option by the end of the decade.

3. Ford

Ford has been trying to compete with Toyota in terms of technology. Its EcoBoost branding for turbocharged engines. It has also been developing its own hybrid technology to take Toyota head on. Its brand styling has also been on a steady improvement.

4. Kia

Hyundai and Kia are close siblings and share technology. That makes it odd to see Kia slightly lower in the ranking. Former Audi designer Peter Schreyer has been promoted to company president and head of design.

5. BMW

BMW has been on a constant move over the past five years or so to be a cleaner company. It is transitioned from offering mostly six-cylinder engines to offering mostly turbocharged four-cylinder engines in its mainstream cars.

6. Nissan

Nissan has been trying to build a brand awareness as a green brand. It has been promoting its Leaf worldwide and has developed a CVT transmission that it places in most of its cars to improve fuel economy.

7. Audi

Audi has been among the leaders in technological innovation for luxury cars. It pioneered the use of aluminum in mainstream cars and has been making large investments in in-car technolgy for the future. It believes that it will have a piloted car on sale by the end of the decade.

8. General Motors

General Motors has been working on globalization and lowering its cars' cost. It is among the leading automakers in China and South America. It has also been attempting to develop more efficient powertrains.

9. Renault

Renault has been pioneering the use of small engines and cooperation with other automakers. Its mainstream small cars now use a three-cylinder turbocharged engine. It has also been working with Daimler to develop new engines for the future.

10. Volkswagen

Volkswagen has tried to lead everywhere. It has tried to lower vehicle costs, expand into China and develop more efficient powertrains. Its MQB modular platform shows the future of platform sharing among several different-sized cars in the future.