Exempt from requiring an ODB port that outputs the narrow scope ODB data.
They are mainly exempt because most of that data is emissions related. ODB came about due to CA requiring lower emissions and smog checks. They needed a way to quickly and cheaply verify it independently of the manufacturer. Unfortunately, in VWs case, the law assumed the data isn't modified before being sent.
Legacy automakers are just big integrators and rarely develop their own core firmware. They just take the existing signals from all the different parts and program a conductor to get the symphony to play nicely together.
They will continue to get eaten by manufacturers that can control the entire stack, from servo firmware all the way up to infotainment.
Status hasn't changed since the initial announcement 2 years ago...