In part, it has to do with the fact that many items made in Germany are of high quality. Most goods that are sold in U.S. for instance, are made in China. Often times these goods simply fall apart (dishwashers, washing machines), are defective, or have toxic odors (like full-color books). Not so for things made in the U.S. or Europe, and it just so happens that there are a great many things that Germany makes now, where they are the only high-quality source.