Jump to content
Create New...
  • 💬 Join the Conversation

    CnG Logo SQ 2023 RedBlue FavIcon300w.png
    Since 2001, Cheers & Gears has been the go-to hub for automotive enthusiasts. Join today to access our vibrant forums, upload your vehicle to the Garage, and connect with fellow gearheads around the world.

     

  • William Maley
    William Maley

    As the Diesel Emits: Volkswagen's Chairman Feels the Heat During Shareholders Meeting

      Volkswagen's Shareholders are none too happy with the company

    Volkswagen's recent shareholder meeting could be best described as discordant as many shareholders spewed venom at various Volkswagen executives - most being laid on Volkswagen AG Chairman Hans Dieter Poetsch. Bloomberg reports that shareholders grilled various executives on the handling of the diesel emission scandal.

     

    Poetsch received the brunt of the criticism with many shareholders expressing concerns of him overseeing the internal investigation of a mess that began when he was the company's CFO.

     

    “You are a conflict of interest personified,” said Markus Dufner, managing director of the German Association of Ethical Shareholders meeting.

     

    The meeting also featured shouting, arguing, and shareholders trying to remove Poetsch as the chairman of the meeting (which didn't happen).

     

    To be fair to the shareholders, it hasn't been a good week for Volkswagen. On Monday, Reuters learned that German prosecutors were investigating former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn and an unidentified executive on market manipulation before the scandal broke. It was revealed later in the week the unidentified executive was Volkswagen Brand Chief Herbert Diess.

     

    Yesterday it was revealed that German financial watchdog Bafin filed a complaint with German prosecutors saying the previous management board should be investigated for how long it took the company to disclose the scandal.

     

    So while the fires are dying down on one coast, they are only beginning to heat up on another.

     

    Source: Bloomberg, Reuters

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    My gut tells me we will see a much slimmer and smaller VW after this mess settles down.

    I don't think anyone will disagree with this. I'm wondering if Volkswagen will be able to do it quickly.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

    My gut tells me we will see a much slimmer and smaller VW after this mess settles down.

    I don't think anyone will disagree with this. I'm wondering if Volkswagen will be able to do it quickly.

     

    You think they can wrap this all up by the end of 2017 or will it drag into 2018 and really hurt the company long term.

     

    I wonder what Porsche thinks about tying up with VW now?

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

     

    My gut tells me we will see a much slimmer and smaller VW after this mess settles down.

    I don't think anyone will disagree with this. I'm wondering if Volkswagen will be able to do it quickly.

     

    You think they can wrap this all up by the end of 2017 or will it drag into 2018 and really hurt the company long term.

     

    I wonder what Porsche thinks about tying up with VW now?

     

    The way things are going right now, I don't think all of this will be resolved till 2019 at the earliest.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

     

     

    My gut tells me we will see a much slimmer and smaller VW after this mess settles down.

    I don't think anyone will disagree with this. I'm wondering if Volkswagen will be able to do it quickly.

     

    You think they can wrap this all up by the end of 2017 or will it drag into 2018 and really hurt the company long term.

     

    I wonder what Porsche thinks about tying up with VW now?

     

    The way things are going right now, I don't think all of this will be resolved till 2019 at the earliest.

     

     Then based on your resolve date, then I am even stronger in my conviction that VW will be about 50% of who they are today by that time and could even be free of a name plate or two if it stretches much further.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

    My gut tells me we will see a much slimmer and smaller VW after this mess settles down.

    I don't think anyone will disagree with this. I'm wondering if Volkswagen will be able to do it quickly.

     

    Just saw on the AP VW is settles with buying back some cars, giving a choice of fixing or buying back other cars and paying fines and settling this whole mess.

     

    http://bigstory.ap.org/article/398cf8b79483423abf48d10f5f9848fd/source-vw-govt-ink-deal-pay-owners-cheating-diesels

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    The deception happened in something they had doubled down on to make up for a lack of investment in HEV technology.

     

    Now VW is trying to make a wholesale jump straight to EV's. 

     

    It's going to be very expensive, and without much fruit at first. But also...diesel days are now relegated to even more niche uses.

     

    Actually in GTA, and I presume all of Canada now, diesel is usually 10-15 cents cheaper per litre, so if you have a diesel vehicle now subject to the VW recall or diesels in  general, you're getting FANTASTIC mileage and paying less at the pump. But it's not a safe bet to hedge on for too long.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites



    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Support Real Automotive Journalism

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001, Cheers & Gears has delivered real content and honest opinions — not emotionless AI output or manufacturer-filtered fluff.

    If you value independent voices and authentic reviews, consider subscribing. Plans start at just $2.25/month, and paid members enjoy an ad-light experience.*

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • https://www.howtogeek.com/kia-toyota-honda-reliability-comparison/ Seems Kia has stepped up where they are on par with Toyota and Honda who are seen resting on their Legacy.
    • Ouch, another recall of 400,000 autos by Honda for wheels falling off while driving. https://www.masslive.com/news/2025/11/honda-recalls-400k-vehicles-for-risk-of-wheel-falling-off-while-driving.html
    • How Long Do Electric Car Batteries Last In 2025? - Coltura https://share.google/FTGgsi2XlYf0SmIg4 https://share.google/aimode/J9W5zgcy2aqrJYNZr Recent research confirms that modern electric vehicle (EV) batteries have exceptionally low failure rates and are engineered to last the lifespan of the vehicle itself. For EVs from model years 2016 onward, battery replacement rates due to failure are well under 1%, excluding major recalls.  Key findings from studies by research firms like Recurrent and Geotab, the U.S. EPA, and the Department of Energy include: Low Failure Rate Outside of major, specific recalls for manufacturing defects (which are covered by manufacturers), the overall battery replacement rate for modern EVs (model year 2022 and later) is around 0.3%. Long Lifespan Most new EV batteries are expected to last 15 to 20 years or 200,000 miles before any significant decline in performance would necessitate a replacement, which is longer than the average car lifespan in the U.S.. Minimal Degradation Batteries degrade slowly over time, with an average rate of just 1.8% per year under moderate conditions. This means a 300-mile range EV could still offer about 250 miles of range after a decade. Comprehensive Warranties Federal law requires manufacturers to provide a warranty for at least eight years or 100,000 miles, guaranteeing the battery will maintain a certain percentage (usually 70%) of its original capacity. Many automakers offer even longer coverage.  These findings challenge previous myths about EV battery durability and highlight the significant advancements in battery technology, thermal management systems, and smart software that optimize battery life.  Honda Accord Hybrid has a software glitch that can cause the vehicle to lose power and potentially crash. https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/honda-recalls-256k-cars-nationwide-over-potentially-dangerous-software-glitch
    • Yes all but the full size are true 400V and according to their Ultium website they are 800V designed but purposefully throttled at 400V due to the current infrastructure not being ready for 800V. The full size is GMs hybrid version that supposedly could be turned on to 800V but a choice was made to go parallel for charging speed due to the larger than normal battery packs. I honestly do not expect GM to actually push out a software update on the full size now that 800V DC fast charging is pretty common all over, more so on the west and east coast than the Midwest.  GM and Fords failure is to not accept that the technology would transform so much faster which is why the Koreans are winning the EV tech battle especially being competitive with the Chinese. Ford CEO even admits that it was a mistake to not go 800V and GM while stating that generation 2 of their EV platform will be 800V across everything and could be higher makes me wonder if they really will push forward with better tech or lumber along rather than lead the industry. While rare, we are already seeing 500V and above chargers coming out installed rather than additional 350V DC chargers. ChargePoint showed off their 500V chargers which I posted the press release about a while back and starting in January they will start updating all the oldest DC ChargePoint chargers with this new speedy unit that also has cut proof cables. Pretty much I feel the industry needs to move to 1000V EV powertrain systems at least if not 1,200V ensuring performance, charging speed, etc. IMHO.
  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online
  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search