Compare with http://www.cnbc.com/2015/10/29/vw-excess-emissions-linked-to....

VWs actions left around 60 estimated dead. Around 120,000 days of people not being able to function normally. At a direct cost to the economy of around $450 million. And a cost to our quality of life that most would consider even higher.

All of which is bad. But no matter how you do the math, most of this fine is punitive dissuasion for others who might be tempted to also cheat.

(Note that most of the fine moves money from the left hand to the right without destroying it, so we are theoretically collectively left better off as a result. Plus we prevent about as much more damage as we had already.)