03:12 03-02-2026

New criminal trial for former Audi executives in Dieselgate case

Second criminal trial against ex-Audi executives in Munich for fraud and emissions manipulation, involving billions in damages and hundreds of thousands of vehicles.

A new chapter in the Dieselgate saga is unfolding in Munich, with a second criminal trial against former Audi executives. Four ex-employees—two former board members, a division head, and a former department chief—face charges of fraud, falsified certification data, and releasing vehicles with manipulated software. The scale of the case remains massive, involving hundreds of thousands of cars and billions of euros in damages.

Who is on trial and why

The new charges center on diesel engines equipped with software that only met emissions standards during test bench conditions. In real-world driving, emissions significantly exceeded legal limits. According to investigators, some defendants helped develop these systems, while others approved their release or failed to halt production despite knowing about the violations. Each faces varying degrees of responsibility, with nearly all linked to six-figure numbers of affected vehicles.

Why the case is still dragging on after a decade

The Dieselgate scandal first erupted in 2015 when it was revealed that VW Group had used illicit software on millions of vehicles. The initial Audi trial concluded with a conviction for former CEO Rupert Stadler. Now, the court is examining a broader group of executives. This new process, like the previous one, is expected to be lengthy, with 50 hearings already scheduled and more likely to follow.

The scale of damage and potential outcomes

Investigators estimate the damages from the accused actions range from tens of millions to over 3 billion euros, depending on the number of vehicles and the calculation method for harm. The court could impose either suspended or actual prison sentences, drawing on precedent from VW cases in Braunschweig where jail terms have already been handed down.

This second Audi trial underscores that Dieselgate remains an open wound for the German auto industry. Even after ten years, legal repercussions continue to unfold, with former executives still facing accountability in courtrooms.