Audi Boss Arrested Over Emissions Cheating Scandal

Investigators are concerned the Audi CEO will try to suppress potential evidence connected to the emissions cheating.

Several years on, Volkswagen is still facing repercussions over its notorious dieselgate scandal. Just last week, Audi CEO Rupert Stadler became one of 20 new suspects accused of fraud and false advertising linked to the scandal. As part of a German police probe, his apartment was raided in search of potential audience. Now the investigation has intensified, as Automotive News reports the Audi boss has been arrested because investigators are worried there’s a risk he could suppress evidence connected to the diesel emissions cheating.

"The suspect has been seen by a judge, who has ordered him to be remanded in custody," the prosecutors' office said in a statement. VW and Audi confirmed Stadler’s arrest, but emphasized there’s still a presumption of innocence for his case. Stadler, who has served as Audi’s CEO since 2010 and chief financial officer since 2007, has continuously denied any wrongdoing in the dieselgate emission manipulation scandal. Another Audi board member, Bernd Martens, was also named as a key suspect by the Munich public prosecutor's office.

According to German media, evidence obtained during questioning with other former Audi officials links Stadler with possible diesel emission manipulation from 2012 onwards. The news comes just a few days after VW was fined a hefty one billion Euros for emissions cheating. If Stadler is charged, he will become the second senior VW executive to be prosecuted on diesel emission cheating charges after former VW CEO Martin Winterkorn was charged with conspiracy to defraud the US government and customers, wire fraud, and conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act.

Audi Ordered To Recall 127,000 Cars For Faulty Diesel Emissions (Again)

Haven't we been down this road before?

The German media is reporting that Audi has been ordered to recall some 127,000 vehicles over – wait for it – “illicit emission-control software in its latest Euro 6 diesel models.” Automotive News Europe has learned from a report in Bild am Sonntag that the recall involves the Audi A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q5 and Q7 So, the majority of its current lineup? Pretty much, yes. Haven't been down this road before? Also yes. Here’s what happened: Germany’s KBA motor transport authority somehow detected the software issue.

The affected vehicles’ engine management systems turn off emissions-reducing measures in real-world conditions. But when those vehicles are being tested, everything comes off as just fine. Any of this sound familiar? The KBA is now threatening to withdraw approval for the all-new A8 until this problem is fixed. What’s interesting is that these specific vehicles were part of a voluntary recall of 850,000 diesel vehicles with V6 and V8 TDI engines last summer. The KBA is now focused on vehicles with the V6 TDI. Thing is, VW Group diesel vehicles are still having emissions issues that require recalls.

Just last November, Audi announced a 5,000-vehicle recall in Europe for a software fix due to too much nitrogen oxide being admitted. This time around, the recall appears to only be in Europe (for now), with 77,600 vehicles in Germany alone.

Audi Stops V6 Diesel Deliveries Amidst Emissions Irregularities

With regards to the current situation, German auto magazine Der Spiegel reported that the software installed in these V6 diesels allegedly reduces the frequency of the urea injections required to neutralize harmful emissions. Audi did not elaborate on this but did say that a software update would be provided in line with the findings by the authorities. Globally, approximately 60,000 vehicles are affected, more than half in Germany. Happily, this time, no US vehicles are affected.

Audi Stops V6 Diesel Deliveries Amidst Emissions Irregularities

With regards to the current situation, German auto magazine Der Spiegel reported that the software installed in these V6 diesels allegedly reduces the frequency of the urea injections required to neutralize harmful emissions. Audi did not elaborate on this but did say that a software update would be provided in line with the findings by the authorities. Globally, approximately 60,000 vehicles are affected, more than half in Germany. Happily, this time, no US vehicles are affected.

Audi CEO Let Go In Ongoing Emissions Scandal Saga

He has been in custody since June.

Rupert Stadler joined Audi way back in 1990 and through decades of hard work made his way up to become Audi CEO in 2007. He joined VW’s management board in 2010 and under his leadership sales and revenue for the premium brand almost doubled. Then the 2015 emissions scandal hit and everything changed.

The VW CEO at the time, Martin Winterkorn, was indicted on various felony charges but stayed away from the US to avoid jail and a number of top executives have also been handed criminal charges since. Stadler’s arrest in June of this year was a major turning point and he remains the highest-level VW Group employee to have been detained by the authorities.

To recap what most of you already know, back in 2015 the VW Group admitted to rigging around 11 million diesel vehicles globally to cheat emissions tests, a staggering deception and one that has so far cost the company well over $30 billion in various penalties.

It has since been trying to get back on track and according to the Financial Post, made a statement this Tuesday saying that Stadler would leave their employ with immediate effect. The announcement went on to say that Stadler was unable to fulfill his duties as a board member due to his continuing detention.

Rupert’s arrest in June was carried out by German prosecutors as they feared he might attempt to evade justice, he has also had his private residence searched for any evidence of wrongdoing.

No official information has been given as to his involvement in the emissions scandal, and for now sales chief Abraham Schot continues on as interim CEO. As to the brand, Audi is pushing its gas, hybrid and fully-electric technologies but diesel engines still remain a part of their offerings, especially in Europe.

Audi Ordered To Recall 127,000 Cars For Faulty Diesel Emissions (Again)

Haven't we been down this road before?

The German media is reporting that Audi has been ordered to recall some 127,000 vehicles over – wait for it – “illicit emission-control software in its latest Euro 6 diesel models.” Automotive News Europe has learned from a report in Bild am Sonntag that the recall involves the Audi A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q5 and Q7 So, the majority of its current lineup? Pretty much, yes. Haven't been down this road before? Also yes. Here’s what happened: Germany’s KBA motor transport authority somehow detected the software issue.

The affected vehicles’ engine management systems turn off emissions-reducing measures in real-world conditions. But when those vehicles are being tested, everything comes off as just fine. Any of this sound familiar? The KBA is now threatening to withdraw approval for the all-new A8 until this problem is fixed. What’s interesting is that these specific vehicles were part of a voluntary recall of 850,000 diesel vehicles with V6 and V8 TDI engines last summer. The KBA is now focused on vehicles with the V6 TDI. Thing is, VW Group diesel vehicles are still having emissions issues that require recalls.

Just last November, Audi announced a 5,000-vehicle recall in Europe for a software fix due to too much nitrogen oxide being admitted. This time around, the recall appears to only be in Europe (for now), with 77,600 vehicles in Germany alone.

Audi Ordered To Recall 127,000 Cars For Faulty Diesel Emissions (Again)

Haven't we been down this road before?

The German media is reporting that Audi has been ordered to recall some 127,000 vehicles over – wait for it – “illicit emission-control software in its latest Euro 6 diesel models.” Automotive News Europe has learned from a report in Bild am Sonntag that the recall involves the Audi A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q5 and Q7 So, the majority of its current lineup? Pretty much, yes. Haven't been down this road before? Also yes. Here’s what happened: Germany’s KBA motor transport authority somehow detected the software issue.

The affected vehicles’ engine management systems turn off emissions-reducing measures in real-world conditions. But when those vehicles are being tested, everything comes off as just fine. Any of this sound familiar? The KBA is now threatening to withdraw approval for the all-new A8 until this problem is fixed. What’s interesting is that these specific vehicles were part of a voluntary recall of 850,000 diesel vehicles with V6 and V8 TDI engines last summer. The KBA is now focused on vehicles with the V6 TDI. Thing is, VW Group diesel vehicles are still having emissions issues that require recalls.

Just last November, Audi announced a 5,000-vehicle recall in Europe for a software fix due to too much nitrogen oxide being admitted. This time around, the recall appears to only be in Europe (for now), with 77,600 vehicles in Germany alone.

Audi Stops V6 Diesel Deliveries Amidst Emissions Irregularities

With regards to the current situation, German auto magazine Der Spiegel reported that the software installed in these V6 diesels allegedly reduces the frequency of the urea injections required to neutralize harmful emissions. Audi did not elaborate on this but did say that a software update would be provided in line with the findings by the authorities. Globally, approximately 60,000 vehicles are affected, more than half in Germany. Happily, this time, no US vehicles are affected.