The reality is, VAG deliberately deceived their customers. They broke trust. That is costly and will have a long term impact.
The breaking of trust adds a huge multiplier on top of the specific engineering itself, which is in reality nothing like as fundamental as a safety issue.
I think the problem is multiplied even more because often people buying VAG are smug in their decision. After all, it is just an intelligent, well informed, sensible decision buying a a VW Golf. Well now, the people who took so much satisfaction in making a good decision about which car to buy, look like they have been taken for a ride. So the man in the Focus is now suddenly able to snigger at the man in the Golf. The next time people make a purchasing decision, it could be enough to choose another brand.
Jonners, I think you need to get clear on the use of the name you called them though, I am sure an innocent mistake....
