After multiple delays, the criminal trial of former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn has commenced in Germany, marking a significant development in the “dieselgate” scandal. The trial started on Tuesday, nearly nine years after Volkswagen admitted to manipulating emissions tests, which caused widespread disruption in the automotive industry. Winterkorn, who is charged with conspiracy to commit fraud, faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
In 2015, Volkswagen revealed it had installed software to manipulate emissions readings globally. The case against former CEO Martin Winterkorn involves around nine million vehicles sold in Europe and the U.S., which led to financial losses amounting to hundreds of millions of euros for buyers, according to the regional court in Braunschweig.
Winterkorn resigned from his role as head of the Volkswagen Group—encompassing brands such as Porsche, Audi, Skoda, and Seat—shortly after the scandal erupted.
Originally scheduled to stand trial in 2021 alongside four other VW executives, Winterkorn’s case was postponed and separated due to his health issues.
This year, the court in Braunschweig announced that Winterkorn’s trial would finally proceed this month.
Since then, concerns about Winterkorn’s health have resurfaced, with reports indicating he underwent surgery in mid-June. This raises new questions about his ability to withstand the lengthy trial.
Approximately 89 hearings are planned, extending through September 2025.
