Martin Winterkorn is in the news due to his impending trial related to the Volkswagen emissions scandal, which erupted in 2015. The scandal involved the installation of defeat devices in diesel vehicles to circumvent emissions regulations, leading to significant legal and financial repercussions for the company. Winterkorn, who resigned shortly after the scandal broke, is accused of fraud and market manipulation, with prosecutors alleging that he misled investors about the extent of the emissions cheating.
Born on May 24, 1947, in Germany, Winterkorn studied electrical engineering and began his career at Audi in 1977. He rose through the ranks, eventually becoming CEO of Volkswagen AG in 2007. Under his leadership, Volkswagen aimed to become the world's largest automaker, but the emissions scandal severely tarnished the company's reputation and led to billions in fines and settlements. Winterkorn's tenure is marked by ambitious growth strategies, but his legacy is now overshadowed by the legal challenges stemming from the scandal.