Volkswagen Chokes on the Fumes of Past Mistakes

Car giant’s handling of Audi situation shows it still hasn’t left dieselgate behind

Being in charge of a business during a scandal that misled consumers, spewed pollutants into the atmosphere and helped incinerate billions of your parent company’s capital might get you sacked at many places. At Volkswagen AG, it gets you promoted.

Until his arrest on Monday, Audi chief executive Rupert Stadler had defied any prediction that he might carry the can for the diesel cheating that took place while he was boss. Stadler, who became CEO of the VW unit in 2007, was elevated to a new role overseeing sales across the Volkswagen group as recently as April.  read more »