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Volkswagen: Ex-boss Winterkorn faces investigation | Volkswagen: Ex-boss Winterkorn faces investigation |
(about 1 hour later) | |
German prosecutors have begun an investigation against former Volkswagen chief executive Martin Winterkorn. | German prosecutors have begun an investigation against former Volkswagen chief executive Martin Winterkorn. |
The probe will look at "allegations of fraud in the sale of cars with manipulated emissions data", the prosecutor's office said. | The probe will look at "allegations of fraud in the sale of cars with manipulated emissions data", the prosecutor's office said. |
Mr Winterkorn quit last week after almost nine years at the helm of VW, saying he had no knowledge of the manipulation of emissions results. | Mr Winterkorn quit last week after almost nine years at the helm of VW, saying he had no knowledge of the manipulation of emissions results. |
Regulators in the US had found "cheat" software in some diesel engines. | Regulators in the US had found "cheat" software in some diesel engines. |
In the German legal system, anyone can file a criminal complaint with prosecutors, who are then obliged to examine them and decide whether there is enough evidence to open a formal investigation. | In the German legal system, anyone can file a criminal complaint with prosecutors, who are then obliged to examine them and decide whether there is enough evidence to open a formal investigation. |
In this case, following the US revelations about the rigged tests, prosecutors in Braunschweig, near VW's headquarters in Wolfsburg, received about a dozen complaints, including one from Volkswagen itself, said spokeswoman Julia Meyer. | In this case, following the US revelations about the rigged tests, prosecutors in Braunschweig, near VW's headquarters in Wolfsburg, received about a dozen complaints, including one from Volkswagen itself, said spokeswoman Julia Meyer. |
Over the weekend, German media reported that some of Volkswagen's own staff and one of its suppliers had warned years ago about the illegal use of so-called "defeat devices" to detect when a car was being tested and alter the running of its engines. | Over the weekend, German media reported that some of Volkswagen's own staff and one of its suppliers had warned years ago about the illegal use of so-called "defeat devices" to detect when a car was being tested and alter the running of its engines. |
I'm a VW owner - what should I do? | I'm a VW owner - what should I do? |
What next for VW? | What next for VW? |
Car emissions tests: Not fit for purpose? | Car emissions tests: Not fit for purpose? |
VW boss Winterkorn's highs and lows | VW boss Winterkorn's highs and lows |
VW scandal explained | VW scandal explained |
The head of VW's Porsche division, Matthias Mueller, was appointed on Friday as Mr Winterkorn's successor. | The head of VW's Porsche division, Matthias Mueller, was appointed on Friday as Mr Winterkorn's successor. |
EU talks | |
VW has apologised for cheating emissions tests, but says that some 11 million cars across the group may can contain the computer code. | VW has apologised for cheating emissions tests, but says that some 11 million cars across the group may can contain the computer code. |
A top executive at Europe's biggest carmaker will hold talks in Brussels with a senior EU official. The scandal has cast a cloud over the whole European car industry, with other manufacturers facing demands to disclose if they ever attempted to manipulate emissions tests. | |
The EU's Industry Commissioner Elzbieta Bienkowska will meet Herbert Diess, the head of the Volkswagen brand and one of the executives tipped to replace Mr Winterkorn. | |
"Commissioner Bienkowska will meet the (chairman of VW brand) tomorrow," European Commission spokesman Ricardo Cardoso told a news briefing on Monday. | |
Audi admission | |
The EC is the top regulator for pollution emissions in the EU and is under fire for dragging its feet against carmakers despite evidence of suspicious pollution testing. | |
However, the commission says national authorities have may not have enforced policies sufficiently. | |
On Monday, VW-owned Audi said 2.1 million of its cars worldwide were fitted with the software. | On Monday, VW-owned Audi said 2.1 million of its cars worldwide were fitted with the software. |
Some 1.42 million Audi vehicles with so-called EU5 engines are affected in western Europe, with 577,000 in Germany, and almost 13,000 in the US. | Some 1.42 million Audi vehicles with so-called EU5 engines are affected in western Europe, with 577,000 in Germany, and almost 13,000 in the US. |
Affected models include the A1, A3, A4, A5, A6, TT, Q3 and Q5, a spokesman told the Reuters news agency. | Affected models include the A1, A3, A4, A5, A6, TT, Q3 and Q5, a spokesman told the Reuters news agency. |
Meanwhile, Reuters was among several media organisations reporting that VW had suspended senior R&D heads across the group, including from Audi and Porsche. | Meanwhile, Reuters was among several media organisations reporting that VW had suspended senior R&D heads across the group, including from Audi and Porsche. |
VW shares have plunged about 35% since it admitted cheating the US emissions tests. The company faces investigations and potential fines from regulators and prosecutors, as well as potential lawsuits from customers and shareholders. | VW shares have plunged about 35% since it admitted cheating the US emissions tests. The company faces investigations and potential fines from regulators and prosecutors, as well as potential lawsuits from customers and shareholders. |
Several countries, including Italy, France and South Korea have launched investigations, and Switzerland has temporarily banned the sale of VW diesel-engine models. | Several countries, including Italy, France and South Korea have launched investigations, and Switzerland has temporarily banned the sale of VW diesel-engine models. |