A criminal complaint in Germany (that could have been filed by anyone) has prompted an investigation into whether former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn knew the automaker was selling cars with an illegal “defeat device” to fool emissions test, Reuters reported.
Several complaints have been filed with German prosecutors, including one from within Volkswagen, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Winterkorn’s investigation may take months — or even years — as German authorities look into how widespread cheating and lying was at the automaker.
Winterkorn resigned as CEO from Volkswagen last week and said that he had no knowledge that the automaker was designing its diesel cars to cheat through emissions standards.
When his resignation was announced, Volkswagen’s supervisory board said it would hire an outside investigator to research how the company developed its defeat device.
Over the weekend, German magazine Der Spiegel reported that three R&D chiefs at Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche are being forced out because of the growing scandal.
Oh GAWD! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make it take YEARS! With daily updates!
Zee Germans have bigger problems, I expect this to be a whitewash.
Can we have a photo caption contest?
How about “Ms. Merkel and I have agreed that you will spend your time in our very luxurious detention facilities instead of in Germany.”
“We ‘acquired’ this code from SsangYong. You can use it for two euros per car, plus a carton of Huang He Lou 1916s.”
There will soon be a “Breaking Bad” style moment (Madrigal Electromotive GmbH test facilities in Germany) where Winterkorn samples delicious junk foods, schnitzel, steins of delicious pilsner, then goes to the bathroom, while the police knock on the locked door calling his name, and kills himself with a defibrillator kit while shatting on the commode.
Ha! I’m having a dreadful day, but you’ve really lightened it. Thanks!
I hope your day improves. I’ve had a dreadful year thus far but am looking forward to 2016.
It’s usually darkest before dawn; here’s hoping both your days/months/years improve.
Richard Milhous Winterkorn. Do I need to say more?
I’m imaging how every German politician from Merkel on down to the lowliest village councilman is rummaging through the archives to see what photo-ops with Winterkorn they participated in.
He said he had no prior knowledge. That’s good enough for me.
I have no recollection of the event in question.
Me too. He was only the CEO, and his job is to shmooze and give out general instruction/marching orders. The lower ranks in R&D are told to meet the testing standards and nobody above them asks how they’re going to do it. Except maybe Ferdinand Piech.
As much as I suspect he was central to the whole scheme, I will be astounded if the investigation finds any physical proof linking SummerSquash to the device.
As a CEO, the line of people begging to be his fall-guy is a mile long and under the table decisions like this can be settled with glances and handshakes.
I wonder what his (former) friend, Ferdinand Piech, knew about all this…
Well here’s the thing, German’s are notorious for keeping excellent records about everything. If he knew, there’s likely evidence of it.
VERY true about German record keeping. But the records may well show he gave the order to make the cars meet the testing standards, but wasn’t told how R&D accomplished it. That stuff usually doesn’t percolate back up to the top brass.