Automotive Business Cockpit – July 10, 2026: Volkswagen's Defining Moment, Germany's Q2 Surprise & the Jetta Software Debacle

Good morning and welcome to the Automotive Business Cockpit.This Friday, July 10, 2026, we're focusing on one of the most consequential strategic days in the recent history of Germany's automotive industry. Volkswagen is unveiling its "Future Plan 2026" amid a highly sensitive Supervisory Board meeting that could shape the company's direction for years to come.At the same time, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche are defying the global slowdown with strong second-quarter results, driven by robust U.S. demand and continued momentum in battery-electric vehicle sales.We'll also examine why the latest Euro NCAP safety ratings are challenging long-held assumptions about European automotive leadership—and how faulty over-the-air software updates, together with hallucinating AI systems in rental fleets, are costing the industry millions while exposing the growing risks of software-defined mobility.