THE former chief executive of Volkswagen is to be investigated by prosecutors in Germany, following the emissions scandal.
Martin Winterkorn, pictured above, resigned last Wednesday, denying any knowledge that emissions tests in the manufacturers’ diesel vehicles had been rigged.
The German prosecutor’s office has said it will examine ‘allegations of fraud in the sale of cars with manipulated emissions data’.
After being caught out in the USA, VW admitted installing special software known as a ‘defeat device’ in millions of its vehicles globally. This software ‘cheat’ could detect when emissions were being tested and was able to fix the engines to make them seem as if they were running much cleaner than they actually were.
Under German law, if criminal complaints are made with prosecutors they must then look at them and decide if there is enough to go on to start an investigation.
After the scandal broke in the US, about 12 complaints were filed with prosecutors in Braunschweig, which is close to VW’s Wolfsburg HQ, with one of the complaints being lodged by VW itself, which has apologised for rigging the tests.
MORE ON VW SCANDAL:
Audi reveals more than 2m of its cars worldwide have ‘cheat’ software
Switzerland bans sale of diesel Volkswagens
Carmaker admits diesel scandal affects VW Group vehicles
Government was warned about emissions testing
Department for Transport launches emissions investigation
CAP predicts no impact on Volkswagen residual values
Skoda, Seat and Audi dealers braced for bad news
UK businesses hit by ripple effect
Biggest UK lawsuit could be on the cards
VW just tip of the iceberg amid claims tests are open to abuse
