VW Scandal: Media: VW executives knew earlier than known Abgasaffäre – economy

In the emissions scandal, the VW Group headquarters with its defense strategy is becoming more and more defensive, according to a press report. The "Süddeutsche Zeitung" reports in its Wednesday edition, that contrary to the VW management's claim, she was surprised on 18 September 2015 by US authorities by Abgasaffäre, in the head office before "high alert "prevails. Leading lawyers, inspectors and engine developers, including Martin Winterkorn's confidants, warned by e-mail that the situation was getting out of control.

In a letter dated September 13, 2015, Bernd Gottweis According to a leading lawyer, the newspaper said: "Volkswagen has lost credibility with the authorities." It should be expected in the short term with a US justice complaint. The confession of cheating on exhaust emissions in the United States has not resolved the conflict with environmental authorities. According to "SZ" similar statements were then abundant.

Also on September 13, wrote a senior developer, among others, the board of VW brand Heinz-Jakob Neußer, the situation with the US authorities had again tightened. And on September 12, the company's top lawyers sent a courier, according to which VW in the United States showed no apparent remorse and defective car production allowed to continue.

In July, a senior executive should have sought clarification. wants to postpone claims for shareholder damages totaling nine billion euros. The shareholders accuse the automaker of not having informed them in time of the handling of the exhaust gases and its threatening financial consequences. The company is defending itself with the index, he had hoped in September 2015 an agreement with the US authorities. That the US EPA then made the case public and found a violation of the law, VW's board of directors described as a "shock experience" as reported by the A memoir newspaper

On the other hand, SZ ", NDR and WDR, a senior VW executive had already in July 2015, an internal investigation and a required shareholder disclosure. he wanted to go to the board of directors, but he did not speak. (AFP)