Rupert Stadler leaves the Volkswagen Group

Rupert Stadler, the former Audi CEO who was arrested earlier this year for his alleged role in the Dieselgate emissions cheating affair, has been removed from the boards of both Audi and its parent the Volkswagen Group.

In a statement released on the first day of the Paris motor show, the automaker announced Stadler had terminated his contract with "immediate effect" meaning he will "no longer work for the Volkswagen Group".

Stadler was arrested in June by prosecutors who feared he was trying to interfere with their Dieselgate investigation. He has been in pre-trial detention ever since, and had an appeal for freedom rejected in August.

Upon his arrest he was suspended by Audi, with sales chief Bram Schot placed in temporary charge.

According to the companies, Stadler is leaving because he is unable fulfil his duties on both companies' boards due to his incarceration and "wishes to concentrate on his defence".

A report in July stated former BMW purchasing chief Markus Duesmann was being lined up for the role of permanent CEO. Duesmann is set to join the management board of Volkswagen Group "as soon as he is able to do so".

Stadler has been with Audi since 1990. He became its chief financial officer in 2007, and took over as CEO in 2010.

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