Latest news with #Winterkorn
DW
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- DW
4 ex-VW managers guilty of fraud over diesel test scandal – DW – 05/26/2025
Four former Volkswagen executives have been found guilty of fraud in a criminal trial relating to the "Dieselgate" scandal. The Braunschweig Regional Court in northern Germany on Monday convicted four former Volkswagen executives of fraud over the "Dieselgate" scandal. The verdict brings a massive trial to an end after almost four years. The scandal surrounding the manipulation of diesel car emissions tests came to light in September 2015. The Wolfsburg-based automaker had shortly before admitted to false test results in the US. Prison time for Volkswagen executives Two of the executives were sentenced to several years in prison, with two other former employees receiving suspended sentences. A former head of diesel engine development was sentenced to four and a half years in prison. The former head of drive electronics received two years and seven months in prison. The highest-ranking defendant, a former member of the Volkswagen brand's development board, received one year and three months' probation. A former department head was sentenced to one year and ten months' probation. The global scandal, widely known as Dieselgate, plunged the Wolfsburg-based carmaker into a deep crisis. Volkswagen has faced countless lawsuits and estimated the total cost of the scandal at more than €30 billion ($34 billion). The public prosecutor's office had demanded between two and four years in prison and considered probation appropriate in only one case. The defense, however, pleaded for three acquittals and one warning. Proceedings against former CEO unclear Former chief executive Martin Winterkorn was originally due to stand trial alongside the four, but proceedings against him were suspended for health reasons before they began in September 2021. Winterkorn has since appeared in court as both a witness and a defendant, repeatedly denying any responsibility for the scandal. Ex-VW boss on trial over 'Dieselgate' scandal To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A recent accident and hospitalization further interrupted his case, and it remains unclear if or when the proceedings against the now 78-year-old will resume. Winterkorn, once Germany's highest-paid executive, resigned shortly after the scandal broke but has denied any personal responsibility. Prosecutors alleged in court that he knew about the illegal software as early as May 2014—well before the timeline he has acknowledged. Edited by Wesley Dockery
Local Germany
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Local Germany
German court finds four ex-VW managers guilty over 'dieselgate'
The scandal has caused waves in the global car industry since September 2015, when Volkswagen admitted tampering with millions of diesel vehicles to dupe pollution tests. Former VW executive Heinz-Jakob Neusser received a suspended jail term of one year and three months from the court in the city of Braunschweig, according to news agency Bloomberg. The former head of drive electronics, named only as Hanno J., was given a sentence of two years and seven months, German media reported. The heaviest sentence of four years and six months was given to the former head of diesel motor development, Jens H., while the fourth defendant was given a suspended sentence of one year and 10 months. The defendants can appeal against the rulings. The separate trial of former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn remains suspended because of his ill health. Auto sector analyst Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, head of the Center Automotive Research, judged that the case had for now ended "with scapegoats and, in some cases, suspended sentences". Volkswagen said in a statement that the "proceedings in the court in Braunschweig are against individuals" and that they had "no significant consequences for the cases before the civil courts that Volkswagen is involved in" related to the scandal. The four found guilty on Monday, who have been on trial since 2021, were initially set to have their cases heard alongside that of Winterkorn. But the court decided to split off proceedings against Winterkorn, who was unable to appear because of ill health. The former auto executive finally went on trial in September before the court again suspended proceedings in October, when he was not fit to take the stand. The highest-ranking former executive to have been convicted in the scandal so far is former Audi CEO Rupert Stadler. Advertisement He was was fined and given a suspended sentence in 2023 after admitting to fraud by negligence. In February, prosecutors in France called for Volkswagen to face charges of aggravated fraud there too. They said nearly one million French customers had to pay for servicing and repairs after the emissions breach was revealed.
Perth Now
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Verdict expected in emissions trial of Volkswagen execs
A verdict in a case related to the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal is expected to be handed down by a German court, nearly a decade after US authorities discovered manipulated software on millions of Volkswagen cars. Four former managers at the German auto giant who have been on trial before the Braunschweig regional court for almost four years, on charges of commercial and organised fraud, will find out their fate on Monday. Prosecutors identified a long-time head of Volkswagen powertrain technology, a former head of development for Volkswagen's core brand, and a former senior manager in diesel engine development as perpetrators, demanding prison sentences ranging from three to four years. The fourth defendant, a former department head for diesel emissions control, is accused of acting as an accomplice, with prosecutors demanding a two-year suspended sentence. His defence team believes that a warning is sufficient. The lawyers of the other men have pleaded for acquittal. The massive case dates back to September 2015, when it was discovered in the US that Volkswagen had installed software in its diesel cars to cheat on emissions tests. The scandal, known globally as Dieselgate, plunged the Wolfsburg-based carmaker into a deep crisis. It led to countless lawsuits and costs that the company has estimated at over $US34 billion ($A52 billion). The four defendants have been on trial since September 2021. In their more than four-hour closing arguments at the end of April, prosecutors stated that the men had been proven guilty of fraud. Originally, former Volkswagen chief executive Martin Winterkorn was also supposed to be on trial. However, his case was separated before the trial began due to health reasons. At the start of his own trial in September 2024, Winterkorn denied the allegations and rejected any responsibility for the scandal. After an accident that required medical treatment, his trial was postponed again. Once Germany's highest-paid business executive, Winterkorn stepped down in the wake of the scandal but denied any personal culpability in the scheme. Prosecutors alleged in court that Winterkorn knew details about the illegal software by May 2014 at the latest, earlier than the former executive has acknowledged.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Prosecutor demands prison for 3 former VW execs in emissions scandal
Nearly 10 years after the discovery of emissions manipulation at Volkswagen, prosecutors are seeking prison sentences for those they consider primarily responsible for the scandal. For three of the four defendants, probation is not sufficient, the prosecutors said in their closing arguments on Friday in a trial that has taken more than three and a half years. The defence will present its closing arguments on May 5. The former managers are charged with commercial and organized fraud related to manipulated software in millions of diesel cars. Prosecutors identified a long-time head of VW powertrain technology, a former head of development for VW's core brand, and a former senior manager in diesel engine development as perpetrators, demanding prison sentences of three and four years respectively. A former department head for diesel emissions control is seen more as an accomplice and should receive a two-year suspended sentence, according to the prosecution. The origins of this massive case date back nearly a decade, when in September 2015, it became known in the United States that VW had installed software in its diesel cars to cheat on emissions tests. The scandal, known globally as Dieselgate, plunged the Wolfsburg-based carmaker into a deep crisis. It led to countless lawsuits and costs that the company has estimated at over €30 billion ($34 billion). Prosecutors consider defendants proven guilty The four defendants have been on trial Braunschweig regional court since September 2021. In their more than four-hour closing arguments on Friday, prosecutors stated that the men had been proven guilty of fraud. Three of the defendants are said to be responsible for damages amounting to €3.15 billion and 3.65 million affected vehicles. For the fourth defendant, who joined later, the figures were put at €1.14 billion and 1.49 million vehicles. These vehicles emitted multiple times the permitted levels of harmful nitrogen oxides on the road. Separate trial of VW chief executive Winterkorn Originally, former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn was also supposed to be on trial. However, his case was separated before the trial began due to health reasons. At the start of his own trial in September 2024, Winterkorn denied the allegations and rejected any responsibility for the scandal. After an accident that required medical treatment, his trial was postponed again. Once Germany's highest-paid business executive, Winterkorn stepped down in the wake of the scandal but denied any personal culpability in the scheme. Prosecutors alleged in court that Winterkorn knew details about the illegal software by May 2014 at the latest, earlier than the former executive has acknowledged.
