Hyundai Beats VW as China's Top-Ranked Mass-Market Auto Brand

BYD Co. was the top-ranked Chinese automaker in the China Brand Power Index, putting it ahead of Toyota Motor Corp. and Ford Motor Co. Audi was first in the luxury auto category, according to the survey, which was based on interviews with 11,500 Chinese consumers in 30 cities and funded by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Automakers are competing for market share in China, where millions of first-time buyers can choose between more than 70 brands.

Hyundai, outsold for the first time by Ford in the three months ended March, is seeking to expand production capacity in its largest market.

Volkswagen apologized to customers last month after state broadcaster China Central Television reported that it ignored complaints of engine-oil leaks in some models.

The China Brand Power Index is in its fifth year and also covers categories such as food, financial services and household items.