This year’s list was put together by Boston Consulting Group after questioning 1,500 global senior innovation executives from companies with more than $100m turnover annually about which companies they admire, and how they judge their own firm.

The firm said that automakers reported both a 26% decline in innovation priority (from 84% to 62%) and the second-largest drop in the intention to spend more (from 71% to 62%). Only nine auto companies made the top-50 list in 2014, and only four ranked in the top 20.

Most notable for 2014 is a sharp jump in the list by Tesla – up 34 places. The top 50 also includes Toyota in position 8 (down from 5 in 2013), BMW in 18 (down from 9), followed by Ford at 19 (down from 8), Volkswagen at 21 (down from 14), Daimler at 25 (down from 20), GM at 26 (down from 13), Audi at 28 (down from 19), Fiat at 32 (down from 43) and Tata Motors at 43 (not in the top 50 in 2013).

Meanwhile Nissan dropped out of the 2014 top 50, from position 38 last year, along with Honda, which was rated 18th last year, Hyundai, which was 17th last year, Kia, rated 36th last year, and Renault, which was 48th last year.

The research follows the recent publication of Interbrand’s 15th annual 100 Best Global Brands Report, which saw global carmakers play a dominant role, with 14 carmakers named and Toyota leading the way.