Audi Replaces Tech Chief Hackenberg, Names Mueller as Chairman

Volkswagen AG’s Audi unit has named Stefan Knirsch as its new head of technical development, effective Jan. 1.

Knirsch, 49, replaces Ulrich Hackenberg, Audi’s former chief engineer, who was suspended in September after VW admitted it had doctored 11 million 4-cylinder diesel engines it co-developed with Audi to cheat government emission tests.

VW’s internal investigation into the scandal quickly focused on Hackenberg and two other top technology executives who led development of the affected family of EA 189 diesels. Bloomberg News reported at the time that Hackenberg had hired attorneys to challenge his suspension.

Audi’s woes widened in November when it admitted roughly 85,000 of its Audi-produced 3.0-liter V-6 diesels also were equipped with cheater emission-control software.

Separately, Audi has named Matthias Mueller, VW’s CEO since late September, as its chairman. Mueller succeeds former VW and Audi CEO Martin Winterkorn, who stepped aside in September because of the engine scandal.