Ex-Audi Head Rupert Stadler Handed Suspended Jail Sentence In Dieselgate Scandal


- Stadler gets suspended jail sentence and 1.1 million Euro fine
- Was the CEO of Audi when the scandal broke
- First member of the VW Group to receive a sentence in court
Former Audi CEO Rupert Stadler has been handed a suspended jail sentence by a German court over the now-infamous Dieselgate scandal. The court charged Stadler with fraud by negligence before handing him a suspended one-year and nine-month jail sentence and a fine of 1.1 million euros (Rs 9.88 crore approx).
Stadler was put on trial in 2020 for his role in the Dieselgate scandal that rocked the VW Group in 2015. Stadler at the time had been Audi’s CEO for a little less than half a decade, and was accused of knowing about the issue but failing to stop or address it. Stadler in his defense had till now insisted that he had no knowledge of the matter. Stadler had been arrested on grounds of his role in the scandal in 2018.
Also read: Actor Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia Takes Delivery Of Her Brand-New Audi A6

In 2015, it was discovered that some of VW's diesel engines were equipped with cheat devices to pass emissions tests.
The Dieselgate scandal first emerged in 2015 when it was discovered that many VW diesel cars sold in USA were installed with “defeat devices” or software that allowed vehicles to cheat at emission tests. The discovery, made by the US EPA, would turn into a public scandal after the VW Group admitted to the use of defeat devices in over 11 million vehicles worldwide affected.
Also Read: Updated Audi A6 Introduced With Subtle Changes
VW’s legal turmoil would see the Group spend billions in legal fees and fines in North America though legal disputes in some European countries continue to run to this date. Stadler is the latest person from the VW Group to be handed a suspended sentence.
Also read: New Volkswagen Tiguan To Debut Later This Year; Gets New Minimalist Interior Design
Former Audi executive Wolfgang Hatz, head of engine development in 2015, was earlier in the year handed a suspended two-year jail sentence and a fine with an engineer also being handed a suspended sentence, along with a fine.
Related News
Latest Cars
- Maruti Suzuki
VictorisExpected Price₹‚¹ 11.93 - 23.19 Lakh - VinFast
VF7Expected Price₹‚¹ 24.23 - 29.57 Lakh - VinFast
VF6Expected Price₹‚¹ 19.13 - 21.22 Lakh - Citroen
Basalt XExpected Price₹‚¹ 8.72 - 13.21 Lakh - Mercedes-AMG
CLE 53Expected Price₹‚¹ 1.45 Crore - Renault
TriberExpected Price₹‚¹ 5.76 - 8.6 Lakh - MG
M9 EVExpected Price₹‚¹ 81.08 Lakh - BMW
2 Series Gran CoupeExpected Price₹‚¹ 48.72 - 50.76 Lakh - Tesla
Model YExpected Price₹‚¹ 69.47 - 78.75 Lakh - Kia
Carens Clavis EVExpected Price₹‚¹ 20.87 - 28.41 Lakh
Upcoming Cars
Trending News
Latest News
- Jafar Rizvi | Sep 25, 2025GST 2.0: Honda Rebel 500, NX500 Prices Hiked By Up To Rs 43,000The NX500 ADV is now priced at Rs 6.33 lakh while the Rebel 500 costs Rs 5.49 lakh (both, ex-showroom).2 mins
- Jafar Rizvi | Sep 25, 2025VLF Mobster 135 Launched In India At Rs 1.30 LakhThe Mobster 135 is VLF's first ICE scooter to launch in India, following the introduction of the Tennis electric scooter.2 mins
- Amaan Ahmed | Sep 25, 2025New Skoda Octavia RS India Launch On October 17; 100 Units To Be Imported In 2025The launch of the fiery RS – being shipped in as a fully built-up car – will also mark the return of the famed Octavia nameplate to the Indian market after a near two-and-a-half-year hiatus.1 mins
- car&bike Team | Sep 24, 2025Baja Pulsar NS400, Dominar 400 Prices Remain Unchanged Post GST HikeAs with the Triumph 400 series and the KTM 390 series, Bajaj Auto has chosen to absorb the additional cost of its Pulsar NS400 and Dominar 400 to keep prices unchanged post GST 2.0.1 mins
- car&bike Team | Sep 24, 2025Aprilia SR-GP Replica 175 Launched In India At Rs 1.23 LakhSpecial Edition SR175 scooter gets a livery inspired by Aprilia’s 2025 MotoGP race bikes.1 mins
- Jaiveer Mehra | Sep 24, 2025New Hero Xtreme 160R Combat Edition Leaked Ahead Of LaunchShowcased at a dealer event, the Xtreme 160R 4V features a redesigned headlight, new instruments display and more.1 mins