Apple, Google, Tesla world’s top innovative firms: survey

The rankings also took into account how the companies performed for shareholders

New York

: Electric car star Tesla has joined Apple and Google at the top of an annual ranking of innovative firms by Boston Consulting Group.

Tesla raced into third position in a list of the 50 most innovative companies based on a survey of 1,500 senior executives at a wide array of companies, according to a BCG report released on Wednesday.

"Apple and Google again hold the top two spots," BCG said in the report, which showed the iPhone maker at the head of the list.

"Tesla, which has been moving up the list at the speed of one of its Model S sedans, reached number three."

Tesla, one of three car makers in the top ten spots on the list, made its debut on the list in 41st place two years ago.

The leading trio was followed in order by Microsoft, Samsung, Toyota, BMW, Gilead, Amazon, and Daimler.

The rankings also took into account how the companies performed for shareholders.

The list included 29 US companies; 11 European firms, and 10 based in Asia. Only 12 companies, 24 percent of the group, were in the technology sector, while many were veterans of the Industrial era such as General Electric and Dow Chemical.