A German court in Braunschweig convicted four former Volkswagen executives for their involvement in the Dieselgate emissions scandal. The court found the men guilty of manipulating engine software to cheat emissions tests on diesel vehicles. They ruled the group committed fraud by helping the cars pass pollution tests while actually polluting more than allowed.

The former head of diesel development was sentenced to four and a half years in prison. The executive in charge of drivetrain electronics received two years and seven months. Two other engineers got suspended sentences of 15 and 10 months. All four were responsible for key parts of Volkswagen’s engine development during the scandal.

In 2015, the US Environmental Protection Agency exposed Volkswagen’s emissions cheating system. The carmaker had installed software that reduced emissions only during testing, not during normal driving. This allowed the cars to pass inspections despite exceeding pollution limits. The scandal became one of the biggest in the auto industry’s history. Volkswagen has paid over €33 billion in fines and compensation since then.

The convicted executives have one week to file appeals. Prosecutors continue to investigate how many senior managers knew about the cheating. Several criminal cases are still open against current and former Volkswagen employees. The trial of ex-CEO Martin Winterkorn was delayed in 2021 due to health reasons. Authorities are still seeking responsibility from top company leaders.

Dieselgate has had a lasting impact on the auto industry and environmental regulations. It exposed flaws in emissions testing and increased pressure on carmakers to reduce pollution. Volkswagen has invested heavily in electric cars and cleaner technology since the scandal. However, legal consequences continue nearly a decade after the cheating was revealed.