With VW's emissions scandal spreading to 11 million cars and threatening the stability of the German giant, the resignation of CEO of the automotive industry, Martin Winterkorn, it looks like a drop in the ocean. Mostly because he's probably the scapegoat.
Not that you'll feel sorry for him. With the 16 million euros the time he was taking for payroll, he wouldn't starve already. On the other hand, it makes you wonder if he really was the one arranger of many years deception consumers and national authorities. Because, if it was not, it is a scapegoat. If they were, then they have a degree of involvementeven indirectly, his 'people'.
And who are his friends? It's common knowledge that in Germany, State and business, politics and business, are inextricably linked. So, in our case, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, could not be unconnected with the best paid executive director in Germany, Winterkorn (Wintercorn, to be clear). In fact, he "enjoyed the unreserved trust and support of Chancellor Merkel", writes Kathimerini. But, you don't need to be a deep political expert to understand this.
Mrs Merkel had him Support in his climb from VW's technical department to the head of Audi and from there, after a tough fight with Fernand Pich, at the head of VW. And, just like that, just two weeks before the scandal broke, the automaker's board of directors had decided extension of his stay in the leadership position, from 2016 to 2018. Meanwhile, there was no VW presentation or event at which he was Winterkorn present and not be Merkel is also present. And we don't just mean the Frankfurt report.
However, the German government, through the Minister of Transport, Alexander Dobrindt, denies knowing anything: "Like all of us, I found out when I read about it in the newspapers. The German government. he had no absolute knowledge all of them, including defeat mechanisms," the minister said.
What do we want to say with them? That governments - and especially European governments - know and encourage practices followed by many car manufacturers. But they leave "relax" the controls, for obvious reasons (we will explain how in the next few days).
And now? Stefan Wil, Minister of State for Lower Saxony, asked about the future of Winterkorn, says that "I would not want to prejudge any discussion about the future and possible consequences of developments".
While many are discounting the return (!) of Winterkorn to the company, in another position, the names of his possible replacements have started to play out. As the most likely, it is projected
Matthias Mueller of Porsche.
And we close with the statement by Viderkorn, in which it announced the resignation his.
"I am shocked by the events of the last few days. Above all I am stunned that mismanagement on such a large scale was possible within the Volkswagen Group.
As CEO I take responsibility for the anomalies observed in the diesel engines and I have asked the Board of Directors of the company to accept my resignation. I am taking this action to safeguard the interests of the company, although as far as I know I have done nothing wrong on my part.
VW needs a fresh start, also in terms of people - I am paving the way for a new beginning with my resignation. I have always been driven by a desire to serve this company, and in particular its customers and employees. Volkswagen has been, is and will be my whole life.
The process of clarification and transparency must continue. That is the only way to regain confidence. I am convinced that the VW Group and its team will be able to overcome this serious crisis."
