VW likely to name Porsche chief Matthias Mueller as its new CEO

German Transport Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, has today revealed that VW DID use their defeat device software on emissions tests in the European Union, saying that, so far, it seems most of the manipulation was on VW Group cars with 1.6 and 2.0 litre diesel engines.

Mr Dobrindt this week set up a commission of inquiry to look into the scandal.

“What is decisive is that nothing like this ever happens at Volkswagen again”, he said.

He pledged to make Volkswagen an “an even stronger company“.

Volkswagen has been embroiled in scandal since the EPA revealed last Friday that the company programmed vehicles to trick emissions testers into believing that its diesel cars released much less nitrogen oxide than they actually do.

Müller will steps into his new position as Volkswagen Group CEO immediately and will also continue to operate as Chairman of Porsche AG until until a successor has been found.

After his apprenticeship, he studied computer science at Munich University of Applied Sciences.

Martin Winterkorn resigned this week as head of Volkswagen. “As CEO I accept responsibility for the irregularities that have been found in diesel engines and have therefore requested the supervisory board to agree on terminating my function”, Winterkorn said in a statement.

Alongside Mr Mueller’s appointment, the supervisory board also approved changes to the management structure – aimed, the company said, at scaling back complexity and strengthening brands and regions.

The automaker also appointed Winfried Vahland, chief of its Skoda division, to head the automaker’s North American operations.

Volkswagen has admitted to falsifying the results of emissions tests for the Jetta, Beetle, Audi, A3 and Golf models dating 2009-2015 and Passat models dating 2014-2015 to pass stringent US Environment Protection Agency regulations.

Winterkorn’s resignation followed a meeting of key Volkswagen shareholders and union leaders, who raised questions about the scandal and mulled ways to tide over the crisis.

I have always been driven by my desire to serve this company, especially our customers and employees.