Latest news with #Wolfsburg-based
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
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Four former VW managers guilty of fraud over diesel emissions scandal
Four former managers at German auto giant Volkswagen were convicted of fraud on Monday over the diesel emissions scandal, nearly a decade after US authorities discovered manipulated software on millions of VW cars. The Braunschweig Regional Court sentenced two defendants to several years in prison, while the other two received suspended sentences. The massive case dates back to September 2015, when it was discovered in the United States 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 €30 billion ($34 billion). The four defendants had been on trial at Braunschweig regional court since September 2021.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Verdict expected in diesel emissions trial of four Volkswagen execs
A verdict in a case related to the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal is expected to be handed down by a German court on Monday, nearly a decade after US authorities discovered manipulated software on millions of Volkswagen cars. Four former managers at the German auto giant have been on trial before the Braunschweig regional court for almost four years, on charges of commercial and organized fraud. 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 United States 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 €30 billion ($34 billion). The four defendants have been on trial at Braunschweig regional court 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.
DW
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- DW
Four 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 on fraud charges over the "Dieselgate" scandal. Two of the executives were sentenced to several years in prison, with two other former employees receiving suspended sentences. 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. 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). This breaking news story will be updated...
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.
