Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • Russia's new-car sales fall 2% in December
      FCA-PSA merger adds uncertainty to Peugeot's return to U.S., brand chief says
      BMW aims to double EV sales this year
      EX-VW CEO Winterkorn avoids market manipulation trial but faces tougher test
    • BMW aims to double EV sales this year
      EX-VW CEO Winterkorn avoids market manipulation trial but faces tougher test
      Ford, Audi, Daimler reduce German output on chip supply shortages
      VW Group says 2020 sales slide was slowed by higher EV demand
    • Ford, Audi, Daimler reduce German output on chip supply shortages
      Airline chief to head Swedish bearings maker SKF
      Nvidia CEO says software will soon define the car, drive profit
      LG Magna-MAIN_i.jpg
      At CES, Magna touts new deal with LG
    • Renault to follow Peugeot, VW in seeking higher transaction prices
      Renault to boost low-volume Alpine brand with 3 EVs
      view gallery
      8 photos
      Dacia Bigster
      view gallery
      8 photos
      Renault 5 concept
    • Mercedes badge_1.jpg
      Mercedes meets European CO2 target with late-year surge in EV sales
      EV-only future looks closer than ever in Europe
      VW to link bonuses to social targets
      New EU 'green-washing' rules will force automakers to be transparent
    • Russia's new-car sales fall 2% in December
      FCA-PSA merger adds uncertainty to Peugeot's return to U.S., brand chief says
      Benz plant in Beijing.jpg
      Mercedes, Audi, BMW post record China deliveries
      LUXESALES-MAIN_i.jpg
      BMW defends U.S. luxury crown
    • Airline chief to head Swedish bearings maker SKF
      Renault names former Google exec to run Alpine brand
      Bentley's top designer, Sielaff, to leave; may join Geely
      RTX326BL.jpg
      LeddarTech names former Opel CEO Carl-Peter Forster to board
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Frankfurt Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Latest Launches
    • Analyst's View
    • Segment Analysis
    • Europe By The Numbers
    • EV-only future looks closer than ever in Europe
      European car retailing poised for shake-up as 'agency' model gains support
      How Europe will become an EV battery powerhouse
      VW, Ford stumbles force rethink of how to best use social media
    • Nvidia CEO says software will soon define the car, drive profit
      Tavares: Keeping PSA, FCA merger on track an 'incredible' achievement
      Renault CEO outlines ambitious revival plan
      Why Rolls-Royce boss expects to be profitable despite COVID
    • Veoneer boss expects to reach key milestone this quarter
      How Faurecia aims to become a hydrogen leader
      How Yanfeng gave the car interior a brain
      FCA suppliers in Europe at risk from switch to PSA platform, experts say
    • Chinese EV maker Xpeng outlines Europe rollout plan
      Arrival Van.jpg
      How Arrival intends to disrupt the delivery van market
      Polestar 2's performance, convenience offset range anxiety
      Nio ET7-MAIN.jpg
      Nio debuts first electric sedan
    • BENTAYGAHYBRID-MAIN_i.jpg
      Bentley freshens Bentayga Hybrid
      BMW 4-Series Coupe breaks free from sedan sibling
      Hyundai counts on new Tucson to become its Europe top-seller
      Dacia turns to familiar playbook for all-new Sandero
    • Pandemic forces automakers to focus on brand, conserve cash
      Why prospects for dealer mergers have improved
      Dacia-level price discipline needed to end margin slump in Europe, expert says
      How infotainment systems are taking over the vehicle cockpit
    • Wagons hold market share, but costly EV shift looms
      Electrification gains speed in Europe's key compact segment
      Hybrids beat the market; sales expected to top 1 million in 2022
      Plug-in hybrids set for rapid rise but trouble looms
    • Russia's new-car sales fall 2% in December
      Europe sales by model, Nov. and 11 months: Audi A3, Jeep Compass rise; Toyota Yaris surprises
      Top 10 sellers by market, 11 months: Skoda a top 5-seller in 13 countries
      Russia's new-car sales rise for second straight month
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
    • Polestar 2's performance, convenience offset range anxiety
      Bosch, Continental battle to supply the brain of the connected car
      Why the ID5 is VW's true rival to the Tesla Model Y
      Volvo, Daimler CEOs praised for leading push to computerize cars
    • Understanding the impact of design on marketing, brand and user experience
      Ex-Aston Martin CEO Palmer calls on UK to intensify battery commitment
      Why Apple must target the $230B luxury car market
      Apple car: Who will build it? Magna Steyr possible candidate
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • view gallery
      8 photos
      Dacia Bigster
      view gallery
      8 photos
      Renault 5 concept
      view gallery
      15 photos
      Toyota Mirai 2021
      view gallery
      10 photos
      Fiat Tipo Cross
    • koenigsegg-gemera-front-quarter-passenger-01.jpg
      view gallery
      14 photos
      Koenigsegg Gemera
      view gallery
      21 photos
      Fiat New 500
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Aston Martin V12 Speedster
      view gallery
      13 photos
      Audi A3 Sportback 2020
    • At the Beijing show, sales rebound and EV boom mix with murky outlook
      3BEIJING-MAIN_i.jpg
      Beijing show to highlight competition for local EV makers
      Beijing auto show delayed due to coronavirus
      Maserati will unveil Ghibli hybrid at Beijing show
    • view gallery
      11 photos
      Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Renault Captur
      view gallery
      5 photos
      Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB 53
      view gallery
      10 photos
      Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe
    • view gallery
      8 photos
      VinFast Lux SA2.0 SUV
      view gallery
      8 photos
      VinFast Lux A2.0 sedan
      view gallery
      7 photos
      Toyota Corolla station wagon
      view gallery
      9 photos
      Seat Tarraco
    • view gallery
      4 photos
      Nio ET Preview
      view gallery
      7 photos
      Infiniti Qs Inspiration concept
      view gallery
      5 photos
      BMW 3-series LWB
      view gallery
      9 photos
      Mini Clubman
  • Maps
    • E-Car & Component Map of Europe
    • Powertrain Map of Europe
    • Assembly Plant Map of Europe
  • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress Conversations
    • ANE Shift
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
    • ANE Leading Women
    • Watch Again
      • July 9: EU green deal in the COVID-19 new normal
      • July 16: Assisted or Autonomous Driving
      • July 23: Challenges in Electrification
      • July 30: The Road Ahead for Europe
    • Meet the 2020 winners
    • Watch the 2020 Rising Stars awards again
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Automotive News Europe
June 26, 2018 01:00 AM

Former VW, Audi engine chief Hatz will be released from custody

Joern Poltz
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Hatz was Audi's top engine developer before being promoted to VW Group powertrain chief.

    MUNICH -- Wolfgang Hatz, Volkswagen Group's former top engineer, will be released from custody on bail of 3 million euros ($3.5 million), a spokesman for the Munich public prosecutors' office said.

    Hatz will be freed on condition that he must not leave Germany and must not make contact with co-accused or witnesses in the emissions affair, Germany's Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported.

    Hatz, a former research and development chief at Porsche and former head of powertrain development at Audi and parent VW, had been taken into custody in September 2017 after prosecutors claimed he was obstructing their investigation, a charge Hatz denied.

    He initially declined to talk to investigators, and when he later did, prosecutors didn't feel they got enough information. Challenges against his detention were rejected by several judges until Tuesday, when the Munich appeals court changed its assessment and allowed him out.

    The evidence against Hatz is still strong, the Munich Appeals Court said in an emailed statement. He's also still a flight risk and there's still the risk he may tamper with evidence, so he had to post bail and was ordered not the leave the country or contact other people relevant to the probe, the judges said.

    Peter Gauweiler, a lawyer for Hatz, said Tuesday's decision was long overdue.

    In recent weeks, Hatz underwent surgery in a hospital while under guard, and is currently in a rehabilitation clinic. His health situation may have helped change the judges' view on his detention.

    Bloomberg contributed to this report

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    2020 Eurostar winner Frank Bekemeier
    Related Articles
    Audi's vehicle testing will be reviewed by German regulator
    Audi may unveil Tesla rival in U.S. after CEO arrest
    Audi may unveil Tesla rival in U.S. after CEO arrest
    Recommended for You
    2020 Eurostar winner Frank Bekemeier
    2020 Eurostar winner Frank Bekemeier
    2020 Eurostar winner Jürgen Weissinger
    2020 Eurostar winner Jürgen Weissinger
    2020 Eurostar winner Nicolas Racquet
    2020 Eurostar winner Nicolas Racquet
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • 2020 Media Kit
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Frankfurt Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Latest Launches
      • Analyst's View
      • Segment Analysis
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Maps
      • E-Car & Component Map of Europe
      • Powertrain Map of Europe
      • Assembly Plant Map of Europe
    • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress Conversations
        • Watch Again
          • July 9: EU green deal in the COVID-19 new normal
          • July 16: Assisted or Autonomous Driving
          • July 23: Challenges in Electrification
          • July 30: The Road Ahead for Europe
      • ANE Shift
      • ANE Rising Stars
        • Meet the 2020 winners
        • Watch the 2020 Rising Stars awards again
      • ANE Eurostars
      • ANE Leading Women
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us