Rupert Stadler

The Munich appeals court has rejected a bid by Rupert Stadler, former CEO of Audi, to regain his freedom, over fears he may collude or otherwise try to obstruct justice. A statement released by the court, and seen by Reuters, says: "The Chamber emphasises that danger of obstructing justice remains. The release of the accused from custody was therefore rejected."

Audi CEO, Rupert Stadler, has been detained by German police over matters relating to the (seemingly never-ending) Dieselgate saga. Munich police cited the potential for "evidence suppression" as the reason for his arrest, just a week after he was added to a list of around 20 Volkswagen Group executives being investigated for fraud in relation to the diesel emissions cheating scandal.

Audi has announced plans to sell 800,000 pure-electric and plug-in vehicles in 2025, as the brand doubles down on its commitment to electric mobility. Rupert Stadler, Audi AG board chairman, said the company wants to "revolutionise mobility" and become the top luxury manufacturer in the e-mobility space – not exactly unique goals, given both BMW and Mercedes-Benz are aggressively planning their own plug-in revolutions.

Diesel has come under some criticism in recent years, and in markets like Europe where diesel penetration is up to 90 per cent in some regions, that’s been a hard pill to swallow.

Audi failed to serve a full-electric vehicle of any kind at the Frankfurt motor show despite both BMW and Mercedes-Benz, and sibling carmaker Volkswagen showing off all-electric offerings. Speaking with CarAdvice at the show, chairman of the board at Audi AG Rupert Stadler (below) hit back at suggestions the competition has been allowed to get the jump on the four-ringed brand. “If we are going towards the electrification of the car, even Audi we do it in a different way to BMW,” he began.