Is Volkswagen ethical and sustainable?
Volkswagen has been measured by the Sustainable Brand Index – the largest independent study of sustainability and brands in Europe – across 5 Nordic markets.
Is Volkswagen ethical?
The Sustainable Brand Index does not audit companies. It measures how consumers see a brand's environmental and social responsibility, which is close to what most people mean by ethical. On that measure, Volkswagen ranks #72 in Norway in 2026, its strongest of 5 markets. A lower number is better.
Key takeaways
- Strongest market today: Norway at 72nd (2026).
- All-time best result: 3rd in Denmark (2013).
- Biggest year-over-year improvement in Finland: moved up 14 positions from 2025 to 2026.
- Biggest year-over-year drop in Denmark: slipped 21 positions from 2025 to 2026.
- Measured for 16 years (2011–2026) across 5 markets.
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Volkswagen's ranking trend
Lower is better · #1 = most sustainable in marketAnnual position within each country's full brand universe, 2011–2026.
🇫🇮Volkswagen in Finland
Automotive| Year | Rank in Finland |
|---|---|
| 2013 | #18 |
| 2014 | #30 |
| 2015 | #38 |
| 2016 | #107 |
| 2017 | #96 |
| 2018 | #131 |
| 2019 | #125 |
| 2020 | #139 |
| 2021 | #147 |
| 2022 | #127 |
| 2023 | #162 |
| 2024 | #147 |
| 2025 | #166 |
| 2026 | #152 |
🇩🇰Volkswagen in Denmark
Automotive| Year | Rank in Denmark |
|---|---|
| 2013 | #3 |
| 2014 | #14 |
| 2015 | #19 |
| 2016 | #95 |
| 2017 | #73 |
| 2018 | #83 |
| 2019 | #90 |
| 2020 | #77 |
| 2021 | #86 |
| 2022 | #61 |
| 2023 | #80 |
| 2024 | #66 |
| 2025 | #61 |
| 2026 | #82 |
🇳🇴Volkswagen in Norway
Automotive| Year | Rank in Norway |
|---|---|
| 2013 | #14 |
| 2014 | #26 |
| 2015 | #31 |
| 2016 | #96 |
| 2017 | #110 |
| 2018 | #113 |
| 2019 | #163 |
| 2020 | #156 |
| 2021 | #121 |
| 2022 | #163 |
| 2023 | #73 |
| 2024 | #84 |
| 2025 | #79 |
| 2026 | #72 |
🇸🇪Volkswagen in Sweden
Automotive| Year | Rank in Sweden |
|---|---|
| 2011 | #24 |
| 2012 | #29 |
| 2013 | #46 |
| 2014 | #73 |
| 2015 | #48 |
| 2016 | #175 |
| 2017 | #149 |
| 2018 | #147 |
| 2019 | #246 |
| 2020 | #230 |
| 2021 | #242 |
| 2022 | #119 |
| 2023 | #145 |
| 2024 | #122 |
| 2025 | #95 |
| 2026 | #100 |
🇳🇱Volkswagen in the Netherlands
Automotive| Year | Rank in the Netherlands |
|---|---|
| 2018 | #115 |
| 2019 | #90 |
| 2020 | #107 |
| 2021 | #114 |
| 2022 | #142 |
| 2023 | #105 |
| 2024 | #124 |
| 2025 | #124 |
| 2026 | #134 |
Want to know what's behind Volkswagen's ranking?
The full brand report shows your sustainability score, what's driving it, how you compare to competitors, and where you're exposed – with 16 years of trend data.
Questions about Volkswagen
Is Volkswagen a sustainable brand?
Volkswagen has been measured by the Sustainable Brand Index since 2011. Most recent rankings: Finland #152 (2026); Denmark #82 (2026); Norway #72 (2026); Sweden #100 (2026); the Netherlands #134 (2026). Lower rank numbers mean consumers see the brand as more sustainable.
Is Volkswagen ethical?
The Sustainable Brand Index does not audit companies. It measures how consumers see a brand's environmental and social responsibility, which is close to what most people mean by ethical. On that measure, Volkswagen ranks #72 in Norway in 2026, its strongest of 5 markets. A lower number is better.
How sustainable is Volkswagen in Finland?
In Finland, Volkswagen ranks #152 in 2026 (industry: Automotive). Its best position was #18 in 2013.
How sustainable is Volkswagen in Denmark?
In Denmark, Volkswagen ranks #82 in 2026 (industry: Automotive). Its best position was #3 in 2013.
How sustainable is Volkswagen in Norway?
In Norway, Volkswagen ranks #72 in 2026 (industry: Automotive). Its best position was #14 in 2013.
How sustainable is Volkswagen in Sweden?
In Sweden, Volkswagen ranks #100 in 2026 (industry: Automotive). Its best position was #24 in 2011.
How sustainable is Volkswagen in the Netherlands?
In the Netherlands, Volkswagen ranks #134 in 2026 (industry: Automotive). Its best position was #90 in 2019.
Where does this data on Volkswagen come from?
From the Sustainable Brand Index, an independent consumer study run by SB Insight since 2011, with more than 80,000 interviews a year in Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands.
Source: Sustainable Brand Index 2026, SB Insight.
About the ranking
The Sustainable Brand Index measures how consumers perceive a brand's sustainability – both environmental and social responsibility. Rankings are based on annual surveys of more than 80,000 consumers across Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands. Brands are ranked within their industry and country.
Read the full methodology →