"Since 2009, the automotive industry has ensured almost unchecked growth in all sub-sectors of robotics and automation. This changed in 2012, and to varying degrees in the individual sub-sectors. For example, eleven percent more robots were sold to the general industry in Germany in 2012 than in the same period of the previous year," emphasized Baumtrog. Robot purchases in the automotive industry fell by 16%. As a result, the share of general industry increased from 35% to 42%. Nevertheless, sales volumes in general industry are still below pre-crisis levels.