The defeat software was endemic beyond German brands, but a consequence of arbitrary limits set in a political arena. Without global agreement and enforcement that would always achieve nothing. Just like burning oil and coal.
Car dependancy has always been the problem, and look how fast the roads choked up, even in the early 60's. Expanding the road network only increases congestion. That has been a simple truth throughout.
At some point, manufacturers stopped making cars people want, either with over complexity, excessive size, or unaffordable cost. The current level of car sales is now masked by the three year nevermine deals. Plus of course, making cars with ridiculous performance, which is unusable and costs life.
Buyers are govened by cost. Buyers are governed by the space they have available, never more true for EVs and off road parking. Factor in pointless functions and touch screens, and large numbers of buyers stick with what they know.
Electric won't solve anything, neither will hybrid, primarily on affordability, but aging electrics will have little demand. I don't have an answer to any of this.
