Rupert Stadler has stepped down as chief executive of Audi, pending clarification from authorities following his arrest on Monday.
Mr Stadler was held in custody for his alleged role in the Volkswagen diesel scandal one week after his home was raided. The arrest, described by two people close to Audi as a “huge surprise” and “completely unexpected by everybody,” made Mr Stadler the highest-ranking executive to be held in custody since the diesel scandal was exposed nearly three years ago.
Volkswagen’s supervisory board did not suspend Mr Stadler, as was expected during a six-hour meeting on Monday. Rather, they accepted his offer to temporarily step down until the allegations against him are clarified.
Prosecutors have not filed charges against Mr Stadler.
Audi boardmember and sales chief Abraham Schot was named interim CEO, according to a statement from Volkswagen.
Mr Schot, who joined the VW Group from Mercedes-Benz Italia in 2011, was appointed an Audi board member last September and is considered untainted by the scandal.
