KIA Motors Corp. said it had made it to the Top 100 Best Global Brands, with the carmaker citing the 2012 study recently released by brand consultancy agency Interbrand.

Kia said its increase in brand value is now estimated at $4.1 billion, setting itself into the 87th place on the list. This is a 50-percent increase from last year’s estimated brand value and exceeds the average automotive brand value growth rate of 11 percent, according to the company.

It noted that the 2012 edition of Interbrand’s annual Best Global Brands study was executed through a comprehensive brand performance analysis. The study measures a corporation’s financial performance in terms of the raw financial return to investors; role that a brand plays in the actual purchase decision; and brand strength, which is the ability of a brand to secure the delivery of expected future earnings.

Kia said the growth of its brand value “closely mirrors its recent surge in global sales,” with the company posting three consecutive double-digit year-on-year gains. This, Kia said, cements its position as the world’s fastest growing major automotive brand. From 2008 to 2011), Kia’s annual global sales have grown by 81 percent to nearly 2.5 million units.

“Entering the Top 100 Best Global Brands validates Kia’s commitment to continuously provide exciting and inspiring brand experiences,” said Claire Chai, vice president at Kia Motors Corp.’s marketing division.