The German "secret" was first "interim" jobs (effectively day laborers, with government support for not paying social services) and then cheap energy. You don't get to say it, though. Everything came from same old, same old. The secret was easy to exploit people plus cheap energy.
The article doesn't explain "nation built on efficiency", its a theme that continues to persist despite any significant examples.
I've been saying it for years. Germany's real strength is in marketing. Look at German cars. The myth about them being reliable still persists despite ample evidence to contrary.
Hm, that myth isn't that alive anymore. What I've heard is that German brands (except for Porsche) were terrible in terms of reliability. Italian cars are far worse though (probably the worst?). And that most European and American brands, in general, have a bad reputation among reliable car enthusiasts; with Japanese and S.K. brands being the kings of reliability.
That’s basically the point. German industry is bad, but not as bad a their neighbors. Expect Switzerland.