Volkswagen US CEO Michael Horn resigns 'effective immediately' just six months after emissons scandal
Volkswagen's US chief executive has exited the company "through mutual agreement" almost six months after news of the automaker's emissions scandal put a dent in the brand.
Horn will be leaving to pursue other opportunities "effective immediately", the German business said in a statement which made no reference to the firm's emission testing misconduct.
While the reason for Horn's departure was not stated, it was revealed that Hinrich J. Woebcken, who was recently announced as the firm's head of the North American and chairman of Volkswagen US, will take over the role on an interim basis.
Volkswagen has experienced a sharp decline in sales in the UK and US since the company's rigged emissions process, which saw it install software in certain cars to cheat environmental tests, was unveiled.
Parent group, Volkswagen AG said in January that its worldwide sales declined in 2015 for the first time in 13 years, with annual sales dropping by two per cent. The brand's shares lost one third of their value in the month that followed the crisis.
Despite its global chief executive stepping down and issuing a number of apologies, trust in the car manufacturer has taken a hit, with the automaker jumping from nowhere to seventh place in a study into the 'world's most hated brands'.
Worldwide, 11 million cars are reported to have been affected by the issue, with the emissions-faking systems present in 500,000 vehicles sold in the US.