“Incompetence or Arrogance?” – Did VW’s ex-CEO know about the cheating software before it was published into mainstream media?

The never-ending VW saga continues…

It’s been reported that the then VW CEO, Martin Winterkorn, knew of the alleged “defeat device” for more than a year before the deception was revealed to the public. The scandal erupted in September 2015 when it was revealed that VW had allegedly installed the so-called “cheating software” into 11 million diesel engine vehicles worldwide, which changed emissions controls by switching them on and off when it was being tested and not being tested, making the vehicles appear “greener” than they actually were.

It’s alleged that Winterkorn was sent a detailed memorandum of how the vehicles were emitting 35 times more nitrogen oxide than the regulated limit, and information about the irregularities of the vehicles. The study came from the International Council on Clean Transportation, a non-profit organisation.

If Winterkorn did know and conceal the knowledge from as far back as May 2014, which is when he was allegedly aware of the issues, is that perhaps the reason behind his resignation? We can only continue to theorise and speculate until we know the extent of the truth.

If we ever do…

Winterkorn still being defended by Volkswagen

VW continues to defend Winterkorn by stating that he knew nothing about the software. There still seems to be no evidence that he had read the memorandum, which was included in “his extensive weekend mail”, according to the VW Group. In the same year, it was reported that Winterkorn received another memorandum suggesting a cost outline for rectifying the diesel vehicles in North America. The deadly memorandum also detailed information about Winterkorn and VW’s chairman, Herbert Diess, attending a July 2015 meeting where the affected diesel vehicles were allegedly discussed. It seems almost unbelievable that Winterkorn did not take note of his emails or pay any attention during the meeting, especially in relation to something as important as this, if these allegations are found to be correct.

As the chief executive of your company, you would expect to have full knowledge of something so serious that it has the potential to jeopardise the company’s reputation, which – shock, horror – it has done.

Ignorance of the law is no excuse at all.

Volkswagen and their grand overhaul

Off the back of the scandal, VW’s senior management team has had a huge overhaul.

The current chief executive, Matthias Muller, admitted that the scandal had occurred due to a corporate mind-set that tolerated rule-breaking. This suggests that the previous senior management team, including Winterkorn, had perhaps known about the alleged cheating emissions software before the breaking of the scandal, but did their best to keep it under wraps amongst the team.

Some would say like blood brothers; swearing loyalty to a secret cause…

It’s understandable why the senior management team, including the ex-CEO, would want to keep a lid on whether they had an insight into the alleged “defeat device”. If they are found to be involved, it could have implications, not just on their reputation, but also in the ongoing legal matters. They are already being sued by shareholders across the globe, and this sort of development could strengthen any ongoing legal actions against them.

It could also help to substantiate or increase the billions in fines they are being hit with around the world. It seems that VW seriously underestimated the backlash that the software could cause, which remains one of the most surprising things to date; just how on earth did they think they were going to get away with such a catastrophe?!

Alarm bells continue to ring on…

There are alarm bells sounding here. If top management cannot openly identify and admit wrongdoing in the first instance, what other things are they capable of hiding from us?

The VW Group are still fending off lawsuits worldwide, but the U.S. has done rather well with settlements coming from beneath the waters. With their new campaign ‘Think New’, and fresh management team, let’s hope that transparency and honesty are two words at the front of their minds when they produce new vehicles.

First things first though, they need to pay compensation to their victims here in the UK. So far, they’re refusing to pay out, meaning we’re having to fight them!

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