Rupert Stadler, the former Chief Executive Officer of Audi, was charged with fraud related to the Volkswagen diesel scandal that continues to plague the German car giant. The charges relate to Volkswagen and its subsidiaries such as Audi, deliberately installing illegal diesel emission software devices in cars that would cheat regulatory tests. Both European and American regulators have brought charges against Volkswagen and its subsidiaries leading to $US22 billion in penalties and settlements. Criminal investigations have continued with Volkswagen’s former CEO, Martin Winterkorn also being charged with fraud earlier this year. Further documents show Audi were just as willing as Volkswagen to claim market dominance at any cost. In one internal email sent in January 2008, an employee in Audi’s diesel motor development department summarised road tests confirming diesel models would not meet emissions standards. “We won’t make it without a few dirty tricks,” he wrote.

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