Christian Klingler

Volkswagen will start firing people responsible for rigging US emissions tests and shake up management on Friday, two sources familiar with the plans said, as the German carmaker tries to get to grips with the biggest scandal in its 78-year history.

December sales of passenger cars, vans and sport-utility vehicles across the multi-brand group rose 6.3 per cent to 833,200 autos compared with 784,100 a year ago, Wolfsburg, Germany-based VW said.

Volkswagen will start firing people responsible for rigging US emissions tests and shake up management on Friday, two sources familiar with the plans said, as the German carmaker tries to get to grips with the biggest scandal in its 78-year history.

December sales of passenger cars, vans and sport-utility vehicles across the multi-brand group rose 6.3 per cent to 833,200 autos compared with 784,100 a year ago, Wolfsburg, Germany-based VW said.