BERLIN, 26 May 2025 – A German court has found four former Volkswagen executives guilty of their roles in the long-running Dieselgate scandal, handing down a mix of custodial and suspended prison sentences.
The verdicts, delivered by the Braunschweig regional court, mark a major step in Germany’s pursuit of accountability in the emissions cheating controversy that shook the global auto industry in 2015.
The most severe sentence was imposed on Jens Hadler, the former head of diesel engine development, who received four years and six months in prison. Hanno Jelden, once the head of drive electronics, was sentenced to two years and seven months.
Heinz-Jakob Neusser, a former Volkswagen board member, received a suspended sentence of one year and three months, while a fourth unnamed defendant was given a suspended sentence of one year and 10 months. All four have the right to appeal.
The convictions stem from Volkswagen’s admission in 2015 that it had equipped millions of diesel vehicles with software designed to cheat emissions tests. The scandal led to over €32 billion in fines, recalls, and legal settlements worldwide, and remains one of the most significant corporate fraud cases in automotive history.
The four executives had initially been slated to stand trial alongside former CEO Martin Winterkorn, but his case was separated and has since been suspended due to ongoing health issues. Winterkorn briefly appeared in court in September 2023 before proceedings were halted the following month.
While the trial has resulted in convictions, critics have pointed out that higher-ranking executives, including Winterkorn, have yet to be held fully accountable.
“This case ends — for now — with scapegoats and some suspended sentences,” said Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, a prominent automotive analyst and director of the Center for Automotive Research.
In a statement following the verdict, Volkswagen said the court proceedings were “against individuals” and would have “no significant consequences” for the ongoing civil lawsuits against the company.
Earlier, in 2023, former Audi CEO Rupert Stadler became the highest-ranking executive to be convicted, receiving a suspended sentence and fine after pleading guilty to negligent fraud.
Meanwhile, prosecutors in France have called for Volkswagen to be charged with aggravated fraud, alleging that nearly one million French customers were financially burdened by the fallout from the emissions deception.
