Combining their operating business will make Volkswagen and Porsche even stronger - both financially and strategically - going forward.

The U.S. market has the highest priority for Volkswagen.

Growth in the Chinese automobile market has exceeded everyone's expectations.

Regardless of whether we are in an upturn or a downturn, our goal is to ensure the Volkswagen Group reaches the top of the automotive industry.

The violations of these diesel motors by our company go against everything that Volkswagen stands for... at this time, I don't yet have the answers to all the questions. I'm utterly sorry that we have damaged trust in this way. I offer my deepest apologies to our customers, the authorities, and to the public at large for our misconduct.