Successful the world over: German car manufacturers are among the big players in the global mobility sector
innovative production technologies. In-
R&D activities since 2007 has spurred trends.
dustry carries far more weight in Germany
Both business and the public sector played a
than in many other economies. A total of
role in this; the Federal Government’s High-
7.22 million people work in industry and
Tech Strategy has been a key stimulus here.
manufacturing. Only in South Korea is the
In 2013 a total of almost 80 billion euros was
share of manufacturing in gross value
spent on R&D in Germany, which corresponds
added higher.
to a 2.84-percent share of gross domestic product (GDP). This puts Germany in fifth place
The economy’s capacity for innovation is
among comparable OECD countries, ahead of
regarded as the driving force behind Ger-
the USA and well ahead of France and Great
many’s economic strength. The step-up in
Britain. Of Germany’s main rivals, only South