[consp]

If you look at the greater NW European area there were (are still?) several startups, non got big enough to matter and they did not have infinite money to survive like some US based PE funded ones can. And even for Germany a quick "car startup germany" search will give you a few.

[joe_mamba]

Which German/NW car start brands are start-ups?

[brnt]

StreetScooter

[joe_mamba]

Passenger cars? That's more of a tuktuk for deliveries.

[brnt]

Moving goalposts and a sneer in 10 words!

[joe_mamba]

Yeah, but am I wrong though? Is that a passenger car or not?

When people talk about the "auto industry" of a country they typically mean passenger cars. Golf carts don't count.