Martin Winterkorn resigned as CEO of Volkswagen last September 20. The car company is facing a scandal after admitting they programmed its car to report false emission readings.
The US Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board (EPA and CARB) revealed their findings that while testing diesel cars of the Volkswagen Group they have detected manipulations that violate American environmental standards.
Volkswagen then admitted to the regulators that it programmed its cars to detect when they were being tested and alter the running of their diesel engines to conceal their true emissions. The EPA said Volkswagen could face penalties of up to US$18 billion.
In his statement Winterkorn said he the company is ordering an external investigation regarding the matter. They will also not tolerate violations of any kind of its internal rules or of the law.
In a separate statement, he said that if his resignation is a way to bring back trust, he is willing to step down.
“I am shocked by the events of the past few days. Above all, I am stunned that misconduct on such a scale was possible in the Volkswagen Group.
As CEO I accept responsibility for the irregularities that have been found in diesel engines and have therefore requested the Supervisory Board to agree on terminating my function as CEO of the Volkswagen Group. I am doing this in the interests of the company even though I am not aware of any wrong doing on my part.
Volkswagen needs a fresh start – also in terms of personnel. I am clearing the way for this fresh start with my resignation.”
The car company approved Winterkorn’s resignation and said that recommendations for his successor will be presented at the upcoming meeting of the Supervisory Board on Friday, September 25.