Overview
- The court in Braunschweig began questioning former Audi engine chief Wolfgang Hatz, who said he did not know of any VW board member being aware of the so‑called acoustic function used to cheat emissions tests.
- The case is a civil model proceeding that asks whether Volkswagen warned investors in time about the risks from illegal diesel software, rather than judging criminal guilt.
- The court currently values the dispute at about €4.3 billion, with Deka Investment as lead plaintiff and Volkswagen AG and Porsche SE as the defendants.
- Hatz was convicted of fraud in 2023 for his role in installing defeat devices and his verdict became final in late 2025, which makes his testimony a focal point for what senior leaders knew and when.
- Volkswagen denies any breach of disclosure duties, and a binding model decision has not been issued, leaving the company exposed to possible new payouts on top of the more than €32 billion it says the scandal has already cost.