Volkswagen CEO vows action on emission scandal

Matthias Müller wasted no time asserting his authority after Volkswagen AG tapped the chief of its Porsche sports car unit last week to take the helm of the entire group.

He has promised investors and customers a thorough investigation into the emissions cheating scandal that has rocked Europe’s biggest car maker. And in a letter to employees, which was viewed by The Wall Street Journal, Mr. Müller closed ranks with labor representatives, vowing to ensure that such misconduct “never happens again.”

“We will be relentless in getting to the bottom of this–fast, open and as decisively as possible,” Mr. Müller and Bernd Osterloh, head of VW’s powerful works council, said in the letter, which is to be sent to employees on Monday.

The letter echoes comments Mr. Müller made during his first public appearance after being named CEO of the group on Friday. By sending it together with Mr. Osterloh, the new VW chief is demonstrating his willingness to work closely with labor, a key reason why he was chosen for the job.

On Friday, Mr. Müller acknowledged the daunting challenge of taking control of Germany’s biggest company as the worst crisis in the car maker’s 78-year history continues to unfold. He vowed to get to the bottom of an emissions scandal that has shattered trust in the firm and threatens to undermine its business at a time when key markets are weakening.

Source: MarketWatch