Topic: "Why should I care about the shareholders, who I see eleven a year at the general meeting." – Attributed to the CEO of Volkswagen in 1983. In 2015, it became apparent that the car maker, Volkswagen, had been using illegal software in 11 million of its worldwide. agencies. When news of this broke, the company faced a global backlash.every day." – Attributed to the CEO of Volkswagen in 1983. In 2015, it became apparent that the car maker, Volkswagen, had for years been using illegal software installed in 11 million of its cares worldwide to help the company satisfy emissions standards required by US state testing agencies. When news of this broke, the company faced a global backlash.