VW’s U.S. Chief to Testify Before Congressional Panel

Michael Horn, CEO of Volkswagen AG's America's unit, is expected to appear on Oct. 8 before a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee to explain VW's violation of U.S. diesel emission regulations.

Horn's appearance will mark the first time any VW executive has appeared in public to answer questions about the scandal. Officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also will testify about VW's cheating, including why it took the agency so long to detect the ruse, which rigged cars to pass certification tests but emit as much as 40 times the allowable pollution out on the road.

Horn drew attention within days of the revelation that VW deliberately cheated on U.S. emission tests covering 482,000 U.S. cars by conceding to reporters, "Our company was dishonest," and adding, "We have totally screwed up and we have to make this right."

Observers expect Horn's candor to be a good counterpoint to the political grandstanding likely of the hearings before the Oversight and Investigations subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee.