Currently reading: Former Audi CEO Stadler charged over Dieselgate scandal

Rupert Stadler is among four people charged with failing to prevent sale of affected cars despite being told of defeat device

Former Audi chief executive Rupert Stadler is among four people who have been charged by German prosecutors for their role in the Volkswagen Group Dieselgate emissions scandal.

The German public prosecutor’s office in Munich has charged Stadler and three other defendants with false certification and criminal advertising practices. 

In a statement, the prosecutor said that Stadler “is accused of having been made aware of the manipulations since the end of September 2015, at the latest, but he did not prevent the sale of affected Audi and VW vehicles thereafter.”

Stadler joined Audi in 1990, becoming its chairman in 2007. He was also appointed to the Volkswagen board in 2010. He was arrested in June 2018, and has been in prison in Germany since then. His employment with Audi was officially terminated last October. 

The three other defendants have also been charged with developing engines containing emissions ‘defeat devices’ that were used in Audi, Volkswagen and Porsche cars. While the prosecutor declined to identify the other defendants, sources have told the Reuters news agency that they include former Audi and Porsche executive Wolfgang Hatz and two engineers.

The prosecutor added that investigations against 23 other suspects were continuing.

Read more

Audi CEO Stadler leaves firm with immediate effect

Audi confirms replacement for jailed CEO Stadler

Audi hit by £700 million fine for diesel emission scandal

 

James Attwood

James Attwood, digital editor
Title: Acting magazine editor

James is Autocar's acting magazine editor. Having served in that role since June 2023, he is in charge of the day-to-day running of the world's oldest car magazine, and regularly interviews some of the biggest names in the industry to secure news and features, such as his world exclusive look into production of Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets. 

Join the debate

Comments
2
Add a comment…
Peter Cavellini 31 July 2019

Ever wondered why?

 I have always wondered , why when you have a brand like VW, would you worry about a few millions in buying back or fixing afffected cars when the company is worth billions?, is the insinuation that those at the top were topping up the pensions?

fadyady 31 July 2019

Business as usual

Professor Rupert Stadler and three other defendants... are accused of fraud, falsifying certifications and illegal advertising," the prosecutors in Munich said.
This is in connection with the US chapter of this mega fraud.