The CEO of Volkswagen Group, Martin Winterkorn, on Wednesday announced his resignation as the company is caught in an emissions scandal.
Winterkorn made the announcement in a statement published on the company's website.
Winterkorn said he accepted responsibility for the "irregularities" that had been found in diesel engines and have requested the supervisory board to agree to his resignation as CEO of the VW Group.
"I am doing this in the interests of the company even though I am not aware of any wrongdoing on my part."
"The process of clarification and transparency must continue. This is the only way to win back trust. I am convinced that the Volkswagen Group and its team will overcome this grave crisis," said the statement.
The executive committee of Volkswagen AG's supervisory board said in a statement published on its website that it had great respect for Winterkorn's offer to resign from his position.
Recommendations for new personnel will be presented at the upcoming meeting of the supervisory board this Friday, it said.
