EKG can be requested, it's not done automatically. You should always request for it a few days in advance before you send the car for servicing. Additionally, cars after 5 years also have 2 more years of goodwill from VW. The mecha unit will be replaced at no charge but this does not include labour (owners must pay for that). Only valid for cars before 2014 and have serviced their car at a VW SC punctually.

A mecha pack will cost abour RM8k+ direct from VW SC. Not including labor charges, if you don't mind forking out that sum every 3 years then yes, you can pre-emp The plus side is you will get full warranty for the new unit bought at VW SC.
A half cut version cost about 3k+ if I'm not mistaken, cheaper but still nothing to scoff at.

Can only think of the following reasons

1. By not issuing a recall, they can save on replacing all cars. Considering that they were selling about 9 to 10 million cars back then and now, its a lot of money saved. It all boils down to corporate greed
2. VW badge is still a premium badge to many people and their products are well equipped. Plus they throw price also, sure will be able to sell.

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I think the Koreans are being too impatient, they need time to build their brands. Toyota also spent at least 30 years here building to what they are now.

For KIA to sell well, I think they need to price their cars cheap.

For example:

Optima GT - 150k (like the 1st gen launch price)
Cerato - 90k ~ 95k

Hyundai not sure, never really did follow their brand.

Demo unit even cheaper, I got a friend that managed to get a 2.0 model at RM130k. It's got less than 5k mileage on it. Fantastic deal.