© VDMA

This means that Germany accounted for almost 11% of global machine sales (calculation basis: all companies, including those with fewer than 50 employees). China remained the world's largest machine manufacturer by a wide margin in 2017 - a position that the People's Republic has held since 2009. Total sales of 910 billion euros corresponded to a decline of almost 6% compared to the previous year. Measured in national currency (renminbi), however, this decline was less pronounced (-2%).