Porsche's powertrain chief has reportedly been arrested in connection with the ongoing investigations into the Dieselgate scandal.
Jörg Kerner, who took up the role in 2011, was arrested this week according to a Reuters source, with German prosecutors confirming that somebody had been remanded in custody because of the flight risk. German authorities also confirmed that investigations into the person began last July.
Kerner's reported arrest comes days after Porsche and Audi's offices were raided as part of a probe into fraud and false advertising relating to Dieselgate.
In September of last year Porsche's R&D boss Wolfgang Hatz was also arrested for his links to the scandal. He is still in custody while the investigation into his efforts continues. Giovanni Pamio, an Audi executive, is also thought to have been arrested last summer.
Porsche previously reaffirmed its commitment to diesel engines following reports the brand was to stop using the Audi-sourced engines.
'We're not saying that we are exiting [diesel],' sales chief Detlev von Platen told industry outlet Automotive News Europe. 'Presently, the planning process foresees one for the Cayenne and probably for the Macan, too. For the SUV models, it makes sense where customers want range and torque.' Von Platen said a new Cayenne diesel was planned to arrive at some point in 2018.
In a bid to draw a line under Dieselgate, Volkswagen sensationally sacked boss Matthias Mueller recently. The former Porsche head was replaced as CEO by Herbert Diess, who wasn't at Volkswagen when it's missions transgressions took place.
