VW scandal could pose bigger threat to Germany than Greek crisis

Berlin

THE Volkswagen emissions scandal has rocked Germany's business and political establishment and analysts warn the crisis at the carmaker could develop into the biggest threat to Europe's largest economy.

Volkswagen is the biggest of Germany's carmakers and one of the country's largest employers, with more than 270,000 jobs in its home country and even more working for suppliers.

Volkswagen chief executive Martin Winterkorn paid the price for the scandal over rigged emissions tests when he resigned on Wednesday and economists are now assessing its impact on a previously healthy economy. "All of a sudden, Volkswag…