Prosecutors in Stuttgart have started a preliminary investigation against staff members at German sportscar maker Porsche AG to find out if they were involved in creating engine management software to cheat emissions tests.
The Stuttgart probe is the most recent part of a sweeping investigation of Volkswagen, that owns the Audi and Porsche brands. Unlawful software has been discovered in Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche automobiles geared up with diesel engines.
Prosecutor Jan Holzner stated on Thursday the Porsche probe was not an official investigation but was rather still at an initial stage.
Some Porsche models are geared up with 3 liter diesel engines provided by Audi. Prosecutors in Munich are independently probing Audi about its part in designing the 3 liter diesel engine.
Stuttgart prosecutor’s workplace is also officially examining 3 staff members at automotive supplier Bosch for their possible role in aiding and abetting emissions frauds by the automaker, Holzner stated.
“We are examining three workers. All three are managers, with the highest ranking being in middle management,” he stated, including he could not rule out that the probe would be expanded.
Bosch helped to establish an engine control unit, known as EDC17, for Volkswagen’s EA189 diesel motor which later on failed emissions tests.
Bosch informed it takes accusations of engine manipulation extremely “seriously” and is fully cooperating with authorities. Because of the ongoing nature of the investigation Bosch refused to discuss information.
