They have confirmed what many people have long suspected about the modern economic system, that in fact it is corrupt to the core. It laid bare the "whatever it takes" as the new norm, it is the final signal that nothing can be trusted.
We used to have to sign a statement that we had acted ethically every year. How do you take it seriously when the company lecture included the statement "We don't pay bribes, but do make facilitation payments". Difference? The VW scandal is indicative as to how business runs/acts, and Bhopal.