Report: Stadler Not Likely to Return as Audi CEO

Audi AG CEO Rupert Stadler, jailed on charges of interfering with prosecutors in the Volkswagen diesel cheating scandal, isn’t likely to return to Audi regardless of the outcome of their investigation.

Sources tell Automotive News that VW’s leadership, which for months has shielded Stadler from criticism over his handling of the scandal, now consider him a liability. Their hope now is that he will step down, rather than be fired, and concentrate on his own legal defense, the insiders say.

Stadler was arrested on June 18. Media reports say a telephone tap revealed him discussing an effort to suspend an employee who was cooperating with prosecutors about Audi’s role in manipulating diesel engines to evade emission rules.

Stadler is expected to remain in jail at least through next week, when he faces meetings with prosecutors. But it could take months for authorities to either bring charges or clear him.

In the meantime, Handelsblatt reports that interim CEO Bram Schot has ambitions of keeping the CEO job and is acting accordingly. AN’s sources say Schot has a good chance of winning the CEO job if he performs well.