Porsche Powertrain Boss Arrested Over Suspected Diesel Cheating
Porsche’s head of powertrain development was taken into custody this week following a series of raids at the automaker’s various German facilities.
Joerg Kerner was arrested by German authorities Thursday and is currently being detained as he’s considered a flight risk.
Kerner’s arrest comes after German prosecutors conducted a large-scale raid at Porsche and Audi offices in Germany this week. The raids targeted individuals who may have known that the 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine Audi provided to Porsche had been manipulated with illegal emissions control software.
SEE ALSO: Did You Know Porsche Makes Honey?
Kerner is among three current and former Porsche employees that are under investigation for the illegal diesel engines. In an internal company memo obtained by Reuters, Porsche CEO Oliver Blume said the company is working with government agencies to solve the matter.
“We reject these allegations and will do our utmost to clear up the matter,” the memo said.
According to a Porsche media release, Joerg Kerner (above) has served as automaker’s powertrain boss since 2011. He worked for auto supplier Bosch from 1986 to 2004, where he worked on Audi projects relating to gas engine control. He then joined Audi officially and managed its engine, transmission and software divisions until 2009, before moving into its powertrain electrification division.
[Source: Reuters]
Discuss this story on our Porsche Forum.
Sam McEachern holds a diploma in journalism from St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, and has been covering the automotive industry for over 5 years. He conducts reviews and writes AutoGuide's news content. He's a die-hard motorsports fan with a passion for performance cars of all sorts.
More by Sam McEachern
Comments
Join the conversation
He's as pure as the Pope......