BERLIN — As the U.S. Congress prepares to question Volkswagen officials in Washington over its manipulation of American emissions tests, German media are reporting the company itself is focusing on three development managers who have been suspended.
Bild newspaper reported Sunday that Heinz-Jakob Neusser, head of development at VW, and engineers Ulrich Hackenberg and Wolfgang Hatz had been put on forced vacation in the wake of the scandal. Other newspapers had similar reports.
Hatz declined comment through a spokesman and neither of the other two responded to emails seeking comment, while VW refused to comment Monday on “speculation.”
Bild reported that VW’s internal investigation had turned up contradictory information on Hackenberg’s possible involvement, while Hatz denied knowledge.
VW’s top manager in the US, Michael Horn, is to testify before Congress on Thursday.