Key highlights
- Four former Volkswagen executives have been convicted of fraud in Germany for their role in the Dieselgate emissions scandal.
- The court sentenced two executives to prison terms, while two others received suspended sentences.
- Volkswagen has paid over $37.5 billion in fines and compensation, with additional trials still pending.
Nearly a decade after the Dieselgate scandal shook the automotive industry, a German court has convicted four former Volkswagen executives of fraud for their involvement in the emissions cheating scheme. The verdict, delivered by the Braunschweig Regional Court, marks a significant milestone in the long-running legal battle surrounding Volkswagen’s manipulation of diesel emissions tests.
The verdict and sentences
The court found that the executives knowingly participated in deceptive practices, allowing Volkswagen to sell millions of diesel vehicles equipped with illegal emissions-cheating software.
The sentences are as follows:
- Jens Hadler, former head of diesel engine development, received four and a half years in prison for his role in manipulating over two million vehicles.
- Hanno Jelden, former head of engine electronics, was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison for aggravated fraud involving nearly three million cars.
- Thorsten D., an emissions expert, received a suspended sentence of one year and ten months.
- Heinz-Jakob Neusser, former components development head, was given a suspended sentence of one year and three months.
The Dieselgate Scandal: A Costly Fallout
The Dieselgate scandal erupted in September 2015, when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) accused Volkswagen of cheating on emissions tests. The automaker had programmed its diesel engines to detect testing conditions and temporarily lower emissions, making the vehicles appear compliant with regulations.
In reality, Volkswagen’s diesel cars emitted up to 40 times more nitrogen oxide pollutants than permitted during normal driving conditions. The company later admitted that 11 million vehicles worldwide were fitted with prohibited defeat devices, affecting models from Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche.
Financial and legal consequences
Volkswagen has faced countless lawsuits, with the total cost of the scandal exceeding €30 billion ($34 billion). The company pleaded guilty in a U.S. court to conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and false statements, agreeing to pay $4.3 billion in criminal and civil charges.
Despite the convictions, former CEO Martin Winterkorn, who resigned in 2015, has denied any personal responsibility. His trial was suspended due to health issues, and it remains unclear if proceedings against him will resume.
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