VW's Diess Met With Department of Justice and FBI Last Week
Volkswagen’s new chief executive officer, Herbert Diess, is believed to have met with the United States’ Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation last week to discuss the manufacturer’s emissions scandal. Details on the matter are scare at present, but the meeting would explain why the U.S. was willing to provide the CEO with a safe-passage guarantee.
While VW has previously stated its cooperation in various investigations, it declined to comment on Diess’ alleged visit to federal authorities.
According to Reuters, the trip was confirmed by two unrelated sources. The meeting, which took place on May 1st, was believed to have focused on the criminal charges against former VW CEO Martin Winterkorn and any knowledge Diess held relating to a defeat device cover-up. However, the specific details of the meetings are unknown. The only items anyone can be reasonably certain of is that the CEO was in America last week, accompanied by Larry Thompson — the U.S. monitor overseeing reforms at the VW.
Based on the timing of the safe-passage deal, it would seem some sort of arrangement was reached during Diess’ testimony. But neither Reuters or Germany’s Bild were able to confirm this. We’re expecting more details to emerge later on and would not be surprised if the CEO returned to America again, since he has its assurance he will not be arrested.
[Image: Volkswagen]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Just came in: Audi has halted production of the A6 and A7 diesel cars. According to Der Spiegel it's because Audi has been caught messing with the engine software to bring down emissions during testing, again!
Stool pigeon?