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> came to consumer-facing technology I don't think this is true. There is a lot of consumer facing technology - but not so much in the form of Internet compani
by lispm 8y ago
> came to consumer-facing technology
I don't think this is true. There is a lot of consumer facing technology - but not so much in the form of Internet companies.
Cars are full with consumer facing electronics&services and the companies are now similar to 'tech' companies. See Audi, BMW, Mercedes, ... There are few consumer facing things more advanced than for example an S-Class Mercedes.
Innovation happens in many places - not just in big companies.
The Mittelstand has 1000+ so-called hidden champions.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidden_champions https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidden_champions
What Germany lacks are huge Internet companies - but it's not the general lack of innovation, but the scale of the home market&language. The EU market is larger, but there is still the language barrier - the whole EU has the same problem.
Plus keep in mind that Germany is just 1/4 of the US in terms of people - but in terms of exports its not that far behind and a lot of that is high-tech, where it makes a lot of money. For example Porsche is probably the most profitable car manufacturer in the world. http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-4331194/Porsche-biggest-profit-making-carmaker-world.html http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-4331194/Pors...
- TulliusCicero 8y ago> I don't think this is true. There is a lot of consumer facing technology - but not so much in the form of Internet companies. That's fair, it may be an American thing that when we say "tech companies" we really mean "internet/software/computer companies", Americans wouldn't generally classify Ford or GE or Activision as tech companies, even though they obviously make heavy use of technology. As for the problems of European fragmentation, that obviously doesn't help things. But Spotify seems to be doing just fine, even though its home market is tiny. And WhatsApp is an American company that was able to find vast success overseas, but very little success at home.