Audi: Abraham Schot Named Interim CEO After Stadler Arrest
19 June 2018 - 10:31PM
Dow Jones News
(Updates with response from Mr. Stadler's attorney.)
By Max Bernhard
Volkswagen AG's (VOW.XE) premium car maker Audi AG (NSU.XE) on
Tuesday appointed Abraham Schot as interim chief executive, after
current CEO Rupert Stadler was arrested Monday in connection with
an investigation into emissions cheating.
Mr. Stadler was released from his duties at Audi and from the
management board of Volkswagen at his request, the company
said.
"This release applies temporarily, until the circumstances that
led to his arrest have been clarified," Audi said.
Mr. Stadler was arrested Monday morning in connection to an
investigation into his involvement in the emissions scandal of Audi
and parent company Volkswagen. Prosecutors said there were
"concrete indications" that he had tried to influence people and
other suspects in the probe.
Mr. Stadler's attorney didn't return a request for comment
Tuesday. Mr. Stadler has said in the past that he had no prior
knowledge that illegal software had been installed on Volkswagen or
Audi engines.
Mr. Schot, 56, has been on Audi's management board as the head
of sales and marketing since September 2017. The Dutchman held
various positions at Daimler AG's (DAI.XE) Mercedes-Benz in the
Netherlands before joining Volkswagen's sales operations in
2011.
-- William Boston contributed to this article.
Write to Max Bernhard at max.bernhard@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
June 19, 2018 08:16 ET (12:16 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2018 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.