Toyota has dropped to number #2 as BMW has overtaken the top spot as the world's most valuable car brand.  VW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi also improved brand value this year (2012).  BMW held the top brand in 2010. Toyota was able to hold the top position from 2006 – 2009 including last year.  Clearly the effects of the nuclear disasters, tsunami and earthquakes affected all of the Japanese carmakers last year.  Toyota continues to have troubles with its financials and not its brand image this year. BMW success has come in being able to distinguish itself from the competition in how it differentiates itself from the other carmakers.  BMW is able to back up its position in producing quality products.  It really comes down to communicating with the general public about what is meaningfully important to the customer. This was recently communicated via the BMW global brand director. BMW's success is attributed to their successful and expanding foot print in Asia and China.  Exports continue to bode well for the German Automaker which are a key contributor to their successes. World Premium Vehicle OEM's (as of 5/2012) 1. BMW 2. Toyota 3. Mercedes 4. Honda 5. Nissan 6. VW 7. Ford 8. Audi 9. Hyundai 10. Lexus