TOKYO, June 12 (Kyodo) — Toyota Motor Corp. was selected as the “best global green brand” for the third consecutive year in 2013 for producing fuel-efficient vehicles such as the Prius hybrid, U.S. consulting firm Interbrand Corp. said Wednesday.

U.S. automaker Ford Motor Co. came second, followed by Japan’s carmaker Honda Motor Co. Struggling Japanese electronics maker Panasonic Corp. ranked fourth.

Nissan Motor Co. surged to fifth place in the rankings from 21st the previous year, for its expanded sales of the Leaf electric vehicle.

“Toyota is losing ground to auto rivals Nissan, Ford, and Honda in overall environmental sustainability performance, but leads them in perceived performance thanks to a single sub-brand: the Prius,” Interbrand said.