Diesel Deception Sets Up a New Challenge for VW's CEO
- Supervisory board meets Friday on CEO's contract extension
- German carmaker admitted to cheating on U.S. emissions tests
Volkswagen Admits Cheating U.S. Diesel Emissions Tests
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Volkswagen AG Chief Executive Officer Martin Winterkorn, fresh from winning a power struggle with his former mentor and chairman, Ferdinand Piech, has been thrust into his next battle. Only this time he faces a far greater adversary: the U.S. consumer.
Two days after the company was faulted by U.S. authorities for outfitting nearly half a million diesel VW and Audi vehicles with software that turns on full pollution controls only during official tests, Winterkorn said he’s “deeply sorry” for the manipulation. The company will do “everything necessary in order to reverse the damage this has caused,” he said. “This matter has first priority for me, personally.”