Volkswagen's chief executive Martin Winterkorn said on Wednesday he was resigning in the wake of a spiralling scandal over pollution test cheating.
"I am shocked by the events of the past few days. Above all, I am stunned that misconduct on such a scale was possible in the Volkswagen Group," Winterkorn said in a statement.
"Volkswagen needs a fresh start -- also in terms of personnel. I am clearing the way for this fresh start with my resignation."
Volkswagen will announce a new CEO on Friday, a board member said.