Volkswagen

NOx helps generate nitrogen dioxide, the low-hanging ozone that blankets cities, and minute particulate matter, which is known to cause breathing trouble. According to the company’s admission, around 11 million cars were rigged globally. The scandal had led to the exit of its CEO Martin Winterkorn, who has apologised profusely. The company’s share price has nosedived and it could be facing huge fines in various countries. This kind of cheating seems remarkably stupid for a company with a brand image to protect. The benefits that accrued to it from this fraud would be a slight bump in profits, but the well deserved stigma will last for generations. Large corporations spend enormous amounts to polish their images, but it is pointless if the substance underneath is flaky, based on falsehood.