The Stuttgart prosecutor’s office stated on Monday workers at Porsche and a U.S.-based subsidiary were being investigated for presumed fraud and false marketing related to diesel emissions.
The probe is the most recent twist in a sweeping investigation of automakers and their emissions following Volkswagen the owner of Audi, VW and Porsche brands, confession of organized cheating of diesel motor tests in 2015.
In a statement, Stuttgart prosecutor Jan Holzner stated there were grounds to believe prospective fraud and incorrect advertising by Porsche workers, while refusing to elaborate given the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Porsche stated it was cooperating with officials and had proactively looked for contact with prosecutors even before an official investigation was launched.
Unlawful software has been found in VW, Audi and Porsche cars geared up with diesel engines.
Some Porsche models are geared up with 3 liter diesel motor provided by Audi. Prosecutors in Munich are independently investigating Audi about its role in developing the 3 liter diesel motor.
Recently, prosecutors arrested Giovanni Pamio, an Audi worker, on suspicion of fraud and false marketing. Pamio, who remains in custody, is being looked by the U.S. Justice Department for his supposed role directing Audi staff members to create software to cheat U.S. emissions tests.