Emissions scandal: Volkswagen CEO resigns, says he's 'endlessly sorry'

Volkswagen’s chief executive Martin Winterkorn said yesterday he was resigning in the wake of a spiralling scandal over pollution test cheating

Wolfsburg: Volkswagen’s chief executive Martin Winterkorn said yesterday he was resigning in the wake of a spiralling scandal over pollution test cheating.

Martin Winterkorn said that he is “endlessly sorry” that the world’s top-selling carmaker squandered worldwide trust in its brand. Pic/AFP

“I am shocked by the events of the past few days. Above all, I am stunned that misconduct on such a scale was possible in Volkswagen,” Winterkorn said.

“Volkswagen needs a fresh start — also in terms of personnel. I am clearing the way for this fresh start with my resignation.”
Earlier in the day he had said that he is “endlessly sorry” that the world’s top-selling carmaker squandered worldwide trust in its brand.

The rapid-fire developments came as Volkwagen stunningly admitted that some 11 million of the German carmaker's diesel vehicles worldwide contain software that evades emissions controls, not just half a million cars that the US Environmental Protection Agency said violate the Clean Air Act.

Volkswagen will announce a new CEO on Friday, a board member said.

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