(June 19, 2017) FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. — An impressive streak in customer loyalty continues for its eighth year in a row, as Hyundai has again ranked No. 1 in the automotive industry in the Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index. Brand Keys, a New York–based customer loyalty and engagement consultancy, publishes this annual syndicated study, which examines customers’ relationships with 740 brands in 83 categories.

Ford Motor Company finished second in the 2017 rankings.

“Hyundai has been able to best meet customer expectations and has, again, scored the highest levels of loyalty when it comes to the automotive category, taking the #1 spot in our 2017 Customer Loyalty Engagement Index,” said Robert Passikoff, Brand Keys Founder and President.

“Of course the true test of loyalty and engagement always shows up in the marketplace, so we aren't surprised to see Hyundai’s success. We congratulate them on another win.”

For the Brand Keys 2017 survey, nearly 49,168 respondents self-selected the categories in which they are consumers and the brands for which they are customers. Brand engagement measures rational and emotional aspects of the categories to identify how well brands meet expectations that consumers hold from consideration to purchase. Brands that best meet consumers’ expectations generate the most loyalty.

“In an industry that is more competitive than ever, Hyundai continues to exceed customer expectations with vehicles, technologies and customer engagement that makes things better,” said Dean Evans, CMO, Hyundai Motor America.

“Maintaining loyalty is one of the toughest things to do and receiving this recognition eight years in a row shows how we are building a deeper and more emotional connection with our customers. We continue to work hard every day to maintain the loyalty we’ve built and encourage customers to return to the Hyundai brand.”