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Tag: Volkswagen Group

  • Audi CEO Rupert Stadler arrested

    Audi CEO Rupert Stadler arrested

    MUMBAI: German automobile company Audi’s CEO Rupert Stadler has been arrested on suspicion of fraud. The arrest has been made in connection with Audi’s parent company Volkswagen’s role in emissionsgate (dieselgate).

    The Volkswagen emissions scandal began in September 2015, when the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice of violation of the Clean Air Act to German automaker Volkswagen Group. 

    The prosecutors’ office recently widened its emissions cheating probe to include Stadler among the suspects accused of fraud and false advertising. The prosecutors also said that the arrest of Stadler was essential as the investigators saw the risk of him trying to suppress evidence in the diesel emissions probe.

    The agency found that Volkswagen had intentionally programmed turbocharged direct injection (TDI) diesel engines to activate their emissions controls only during laboratory emissions testing which caused the vehicles’ NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) output to meet US standards during regulatory testing, but emit up to 40 times more NOx in real-world driving.

    Volkswagen deployed this programming software in about eleven million cars worldwide, and 500,000 in the United States, in model years 2009 through 2015.

    Standler’s home was raided last week where Munich prosecutors based the arrest warrant on concealment of evidence.

    Audi confirmed the news in a statement: “We confirm that Mr Stadler was arrested this morning. The hearing to determine whether he will be remanded is ongoing.”

    Volkswagen has pleaded guilty to the criminal charges pressed against the company where two managers are serving prison time in US.

  • Saatchi & Saacthi wins Skoda’s creative mandate

    Saatchi & Saacthi wins Skoda’s creative mandate

    MUMBAI: Saatchi & Saatchi has bagged the creative duties of automobile manufacturer, Škoda Auto India, a fully owned subsidiary of Skoda Auto a.s., Czech Republic (Volkswagen Group).

    The account size is pegged at Rs 600 million, according to sources familiar with the transaction. The duration of the contract could not, however, be independently confirmed.

    Publicis Groupe’s creative agency will now drive the entire communication for the brand in the advertising space.

    While Saatchi & Saatchi has been handling the brand communication strategy planning for the carmaker for some time, the mandate has now been extended to include creative duties as well.

    Mumbai-based creative agency Saints & Warriors was the incumbent on the account.

    Skoda Auto India member of the board – sales and marketing Thomas Kuehl said, “Skoda Auto India is looking for strong partners to help it achieve its ambitious plans in India. Saatchi & Saatchi has been our strategic planning agency and we see them as the right fit to also take on the creative mandate on the brand.”

    Saatchi & Saatchi’s mandate includes handling Skoda’s entire portfolio of brands that consists of Fabia, Laura, Yeti and Superb. The agency will also play a key role in creating buzz for any new car brands that will be launched and other corporate initiatives.

    Skoda Auto India head – marketing Tarun Jha adds, “Skoda Auto, with the unveiling of its new logo and corporate identity, has embarked upon a new journey across the world. The ‘New Power of Skoda‘ is part of a global strategy and will give the marque a more potent role in the life of the Indian customer. After a wonderful decade, Skoda Auto India is all set to go to greater strengths. We see Saatchi & Saatchi as a strong partner which will help us achieve this objective.”

    The car brand’s media duties rest with MediaCom.

    Talking about the win Saatchi & Saatchi India CEO Kamal Basu says, “Skoda has been a brand with a lot of ‘mystique‘ in India. Unraveling this to the country is an exciting journey that we at Saatchi & Saatchi are looking forward to.”