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Volkswagen To Cut Managers' Bonuses Following Diesel Scandal

VW said that its top managers' bonuses will be cut significantly, citing the need to send a "signal" on executives' pay following the diesel emissions scandal.

The bonus cuts will also apply to VW CEO Matthias Mueller. (AP Photo)
The bonus cuts will also apply to VW CEO Matthias Mueller. (AP Photo)

Volkswagen said Wednesday that its top managers' bonuses will be cut significantly, citing the need to send a "signal" on executives' pay following the automaker's diesel emissions scandal.

The company, which has yet to release 2015 earnings figures, said in a statement that "different models which would constitute a reasonable and fair solution for all parties involved" are being discussed.

"As a consequence, this would lead to a significant reduction of the variable remuneration," Volkswagen said.

The cut to the 2015 bonuses would apply to the management board, a group of executives that helps run the company day to day and includes the CEO.

The supervisory board, which is the German equivalent of a board of directors, would not be affected, except for chairman Hans Dieter Poetsch — the company's chief financial officer until he switched jobs late last year. Volkswagen said this was "at his own request."

Wednesday's statement followed German media reports in recent days of divisions at the company over the extent to which managers should take a hit on their bonuses.

News of the scandal broke on Sept. 18 when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Volkswagen had installed software on 482,000 cars that enabled them to cheat on emissions tests. On Sept. 22, Volkswagen said about 11 million diesel vehicles worldwide were fitted with the software.

The bonus cuts will also apply to VW CEO Matthias Mueller. (AP Photo)The bonus cuts will also apply to VW CEO Matthias Mueller. (AP Photo)

Longtime CEO Martin Winterkorn resigned on Sept. 23, saying he was acting in the interests of the company but wasn't "aware of any wrongdoing on my part." He was replaced by Matthias Mueller.

Volkswagen said Wednesday the "supervisory board and management board jointly agreed that — given the current situation of the company — a signal should also be sent with respect to the topic of the management board's remuneration."

The company didn't give any figures. It said that details will be released in its annual report, being published on April 28.

Lower Saxony state governor Stephan Weil, a member of Volkswagen's supervisory board because his state is a major shareholder, told the regional legislature in Hannover that "the expectations of the public" have to be taken into account in discussing bonuses.

In 2014, Winterkorn's pay totaled 15.86 million euros — most of it derived from various forms of variable remuneration. His fixed pay accounted for only 1.62 million euros. Then-CFO Poetsch earned some 6.8 million euros, most of that variable pay.

Volkswagen's 2015 results originally were supposed to be released March 10, but the company shifted them to the end of April because of "open questions" related to the costs of the emissions scandal.

Volkswagen shares were up 4.9 percent at 112.75 euros ($128.57) in Frankfurt trading.

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