For the average German, modern life is hardly imaginable without the automobile. Each person in Germany now travels an average distance of 11.7 km per day, and the car is responsible for 55% of all distances travelled. A total of 78% of households have at least one car, and 80% of adult Germans have a driving licence. These figures are also reflected in statistical data for the automotive sector. The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) declares that its sector is one of the key business areas of our present-day economy. With annual sales of 362 billion euros, it represents 3.9% of the German gross domestic product. Just over one-third of research and development resources in Germany flows directly or indirectly into the car industry. It is the most research-intensive sector of Germany – in 2013, 18 billion euros were invested in this industry. A total of 840,000 men and women are employed by car manufacturers and subcontractors.