German Prosecutors Charge Ex-Audi CEO Rupert Stadler With False Certification, Criminal Advertising Practices

Rupert Stadler was Audi’s CEO during the VW AG’s emission’s cheating scandal down as Dieselgate. Stadler, along with three other defendants was charged. They stand accused of developing engines used by Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche vehicles with emissions-cheating devices hidden within.

Former Audi CEO Stadler was replaced by Abraham Schot last year.

“Defendant Stadler is accused of having been 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,” the prosecutor said in a statement.

Cheating software worked by knowing that, when it was being tested, it changed it programming to run more efficiently and cleaner. Volkswagen AG wasn’t the only automaker to pull this stunt, but they were one of the first to be caught. (Photo: TFLcar)

Stadler was arrested back in June 2018, “Stadler’s arrest comes a few days after German courts hit Volkswagen Group with a 1 billion euro ($1.2 billion) fine, on top of the $4.3 billion Volkswagen paid to settle with the U.S. government. Audi admitted last month that it had fitted 60,000 A6 and A7 models with emissions defeat devices. That comes in addition to Audi recalling 850,000 cars last year, some of which the company had to modify as a result of the defeat software.” – – Tflcar

In Munich, the public prosecutor stated that Stadler and the three other defendants are being charged specifically with false certification and criminal advertising practices

The fallout from Dieselgate is far from over. Despite Volkswagen AG committing themselves to an all-electric future, they still have several employees who could face future litigation.

Speaking of Audi, we had a chance to sample one of their newest crossovers.