German-American here, I haven't followed the case in the German media extensively, but there is a widespread public opinion that this was a welcome opportunity to punish a pesky German competitor, by throwing the book at them by the US government working together with the US auto lobby. If the same had been done by GM for example, they don't think anyone would have went to prison for even a day.
The other half is asking when the German justice system will finally start their prosecution.
The other half is asking when the German justice system will finally start their prosecution.