VW's factory in Wolfsburg. /CGTN

A German court on Monday convicted and handed prison sentences, some suspended, to four former Volkswagen managers over their part in the 'Dieselgate' emissions-cheating scandal.

The scandal rocked the global car industry in September 2015, when Volkswagen admitted tampering with millions of diesel vehicles to dupe pollution tests.

The four executives were responsible for engine technology at Volkswagen. Two were sentenced to prison, the other two were handed suspended sentences. 

The heaviest sentence of four years and six months was given to Jens Hadler, the former head of diesel motor development. Former head of drive electronics Hanno Jelden, was given a sentence of two years and seven months.

Heinz-Jakob Neusser, who was responsible for components development, received a suspended jail term of one year and three months while the fourth defendant, so far identified only as Thorsten D., was given a suspended sentence of one year and 10 months.

The sentences were handed down by a panel of judges in the city of Braunschweig, not far from VW's HQ in Wolfsburg. The defendants can appeal against the rulings within one week, and Jelden's representative told reporters the verdict was "wrong". 

Still awaiting trial

Dozens of former Volskwagen engineers and managers are still awaiting trial. Notably, the separate trial of former VW CEO Martin Winterkorn remains suspended because of his ill health.

The highest-ranking former executive so far convicted was Rupert Stadler, the former CEO of VW's luxury car brand Audi. Stadler – who also served on VW's management board – pleaded guilty in 2023, receiving a suspended sentence and a fine exceeding $1 million.

Auto sector analyst Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, head of the Center Automotive Research, said that the case had for now ended "with scapegoats and, in some cases, suspended sentences". 

Volkswagen said in a statement that the "proceedings in the court in Braunschweig are against individuals" and that they had "no significant consequences for the cases before the civil courts that Volkswagen is involved in" related to the scandal.

The four found guilty on Monday, who have been on trial since 2021, were initially set to have their cases heard alongside that of Winterkorn.

But the court decided to split off proceedings against Winterkorn, who was unable to appear because of ill health. He finally went on trial in September before the court again suspended proceedings in October, when he was not fit to take the stand.

The highest-ranking former executive to have been convicted in the scandal so far is former Audi CEO Rupert Stadler. He was fined and given a suspended sentence in 2023 after admitting to fraud by negligence.

In February, prosecutors in France called for Volkswagen to face charges of aggravated fraud there too. They said nearly one million French customers had to pay for servicing and repairs after the emissions breach was revealed.