German prosecutors have set their sights on disgraced ex-Volkswagen chief executive Martin Winterkorn over his part in tricking vehicle emissions tests.
VW has reportedly suspended three senior engineers over the scandal, which surfaced when evidence showed the company’s diesel engines’ management software had a built-in defeat mode to run at super-clean levels during emissions tests.
Winterkorn fell on his sword as VW Group went into crisis mode, since appointing Porsche chief exec Matthias Mueller in his place.
The German prosecutor said in a statement the investigation is focused on “allegations of fraud in the sale of cars with manipulated sales data.”
Volkswagen suppliers Bosch, and staff within the group, have spoken to German press about the fraud, saying the company was warned about the illegal ‘defeat devices.’
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