Volkswagen Dieselgate: Court finalises sentences for key engineers
Although it will soon be 10 years since the outbreak of one of the largest scandals in automotive history, its effects are still felt today. The court in Brunswick has just announced sentences for four former employees.
The conclusion of the trial, which lasted over three years, marks a symbolic end to one of the key chapters of the scandal. However, the case is ongoing, with other proceedings concerning fraud committed by the Volkswagen Group about emissions continuing in parallel.
It has been established that the German giant used software that allowed laboratory emission testing equipment to be deceived regarding nitrogen oxides, thereby producing results that bore little resemblance to reality.
The issue came to light in 2015, leading to numerous trials, multi-billion pound fines, and increased scrutiny of diesel vehicles, not just those of Volkswagen.
The court in Brunswick, announcing the verdicts for the four managers involved in the case, referred to "working in an organised group." It emphasised that engineers were aware as early as 2007 of the existence of the illegal software, and that its use was a company secret.
The trial concluded with significant penalties. Jens Hadler, responsible for diesel engine development from 2007 to 2011, received a sentence of four and a half years in prison. Hanno Jelden, who specialised in drivetrain software, was sentenced to two years and seven months. Heinz-Jakob Neusser, the former head of component development, received a one-year and three-month suspended sentence. In contrast, Thorsten D., an emissions specialist, received a one-year and ten-month suspended sentence.
