Quality control chief to leave scandal-hit VW

Frankfurt, Germany - Volkswagen says its quality control chief is leaving the company.

Frank Tuch (48), is being replaced as the company deals with a scandal over diesel vehicles equipped to cheat on emissions testing.

He is being succeeded by 58-year-old Hans-Joachim Rothenpieler, until now head of technical development at the company's commercial vehicles brand.

'Own request'

A Volkswagen statement on Monday (February 8)  says Tuch is "leaving the company at his own request" and that the company "regrets Tuch's decision and thanks him for his achievements."

Volkswagen is being sued by the US Justice Department over some 600 000 vehicles that turned off emissions controls when not being tested. The company says up to 11 million vehicles worldwide may be affected.

It has apologised and launched an investigation. The results are due in April.