Volkswagen Chief Executive Resigns
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The chief executive of the German motor company Volkswagen has resigned amid the corporation’s emissions scandal.
Martin Winterkorn, who has served in the role since 2007, said that his departure would clear the way “for a fresh start”, and has blamed “the terrible mistakes of a few people” for the scandal, which remains ongoing. Michael Horn, CEO of Volkswagen America, however, was more blunt, admitting “we’ve totally screwed up”.
The automotive group says it has already set aside $6.5 billion (£4.7 billion) to cover the costs of the issue, which has affected at least 11 million vehicles fitted with the device.
The emissions device in question allowed the car to produce minimal emissions while under testing but in normal driving conditions allowed the car to produce over forty times more nitrogen oxide than the law allows for.
Consumers in the USA and Canada have already filed over twenty-five class-action lawsuits against the Volkswagen group for breach of contract and fraud.