BMW News

The dictionary defines the word reputable as: respected and trusted by most people; or having a good reputation. As BMW enthusiasts, we often tend to think more about the reputation of the BMW models in which we are interested, rather than the company that makes and sells them. So how reputable is BMW, the company?

Very reputable. In fact, the Reputation Institute says that in 2015, there are none better.

BMW is now the world’s most reputable company, bumping 2014 co-leaders Google and Disney to second and sixth places respectively. Daimler is ranked third in 2015.

The Reputation Institute provides the tools and methodology used to create the Forbes Global RepTrak 100, which is the world’s largest study of corporate reputations. Using this data, corporations can better understand how to build trust and support with customers and the general public.

Factors that influence the rankings include innovation, governance, and citizenship. The Reputation Institute ranks companies based on how consumers view them. The data is extensive, and results from examining fifteen stakeholder groups in more than 50 countries for more than 7,000 companies. The rankings are ultimately based on "the emotional connection consumers have to a brand."

Jamie Bedard, CEO of the Reputation Institute, explained, "After several years of turmoil tied to the global financial crisis, corporate reputations have begun to stabilize as companies rebuild trust and respect with consumers. Continuing a trend, the companies with the strongest reputations are focused on more than just the products or services they sell, with corporate social responsibility—citizenship, governance and workplace—taking on more importance than ever."

It couldn’t hurt that BMW has been actively pursuing environmentally responsible practices in the manufacture and distribution of its products, from sourcing carbon fiber made in an emissions-neutral plant, to building cars in factories powered by alternative energy sources. Active and extensive support of the arts and sporting events like the Olympics have also built BMW’s reputation as a good corporate citizen.

If innovation helps build reputations, BMW is already there. Bill McAndrews, Vice President, Head of BMW Group Corporate Communications pointed out that, "The BMW Group as a whole is an innovation driver. That’s the basis for everything we do.”

Other familiar and quite reputable companies round out the top ten, demonstrating how remarkable it is for a company—BMW—to finish ahead of them: Rolex (4); Lego (5); Walt Disney (6), Canon (7); Apple (8); Sony (9); and Intel (10).

In the automotive universe, five other carmakers made the list along with BMW (1) and Daimler (3): Volkswagen (14); Toyota (35); Honda (61); Ford (65); and General Motors (96).

Anheuser-Busch In-Bev finished 100th. View the entire list here:
http://www.reputationinstitute.com/thought-leadership/global-reptrak-100

It’s nice to know that our favorite car company has developed a reputation of trust and respect with the public. BMW will probably interpret that to mean they should keep doing what they have been doing. We agree, as long as that means making great vehicles that are fun to drive. That’s the reputation we respect—Scott Blazey

[Photographs courtesy of BMW AG.]