World's Most Innovative Automakers of the Year Revealed (1 Photo)
Toyota has emerged as the global leader in patent publications since the start of 2026, closely followed by German and South Korean auto groups, according to data from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). 
Toyota has registered 2,389 patents since the start of the year, with BMW hot on its heels at 2,350. Another German manufacturer, Mercedes-Benz, followed close behind with 2,050 approved intellectual property filings.
Hyundai secured fourth place in the global rankings with 1,983 patent applications, while transatlantic auto giant Stellantis rounded out the top five with 1,502 patents. Corporate siblings Volkswagen (1,026) and Porsche (932) followed in sixth and seventh place with similar activity levels. Honda (919), Nissan (713), and Ford (362) also made the top ten.
Against this backdrop, Audi's numbers look modest: the brand has published just 199 patents since the start of the year, placing it between Rivian (146 patents) and JLR (210). Audi leadership had previously announced plans to reclaim the brand's reputation as a tech pioneer by aggressively bolstering its intellectual property, but the patent approval process takes time. Recent publications from the automaker include applications for a dual-clutch transmission, a combined hybrid powertrain, and a detachable karaoke system, all originally filed back in 2024.
