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Hyundai Motor rose to 29th place in Interbrand's Best Global Brands 2026 ranking, up two spots from a year earlier, with brand value reaching $25 billion (about W33.2 trillion), the automaker said Wednesday. It marks the 17th consecutive year of value growth since 2010, and the first time Hyundai has entered the top 20s overall; it also ranked 4th among automotive brands. The Korea Times, Business Korea, Chosun Ilbo, Dong-A Ilbo, and Maeil Business Newspaper all reported the figures, with Maeil noting a 1.6% increase from last year's $24.6 billion. Korean media framed the result as recognition of Hyundai's shift from a carmaker to a tech company, citing robotics and electrification. However, the Korea Times also reported on Oct. 27 that Hyundai Motor Group is losing ground in Europe and China, with declining sales and a renewed slump in China, raising concerns about its global strategy beyond the U.S.