Politicians, unions and industry groups have welcomed Tesla to Germany, saying the automaker will bring jobs to the region, but environmental concerns drove hundreds of locals to the streets on Saturday.

BMW's largest global plant produced 15 percent more vehicles in 2019 than the prior year as demand for crossovers soared.

The expansion is part of a $600 million project by Volvo as it readies electric vehicles for the U.S. market.

Traditional automakers, which have been derided as relics from the Stone Age, may outlast disruptors such as electric-car startups, ride-hailing companies and tech giants.