Volkwagen CEO Seeks To Slash Management Bonuses After Diesel Scandal

Pay them all in stock options and minimum cash. (Elon's "salary" is $33,000 per year; the rest is stock). They fix the company and the stock goes up over the set price of the option they win. If not they lose as they should.

And exactly what have they done to justify any bonus at all? Seems to me that no upper management deserves anything until the company rights itself. Although Vette71 has a good idea as well.

The problem is - not all management had involvement in the diesel scandal - nor are all management numbers sales based (Productivity can be measured) - and of course - there are markets where sales numbers were not affected by the scandal - and in many of these cases - a manager may have actually exceeded the specified goals and deserves a bonus. Those managers are likely among the best people at VW and taking away their bonuses simply adds to the desire to leave VW for other companies - at a time when VW really does need to keep their best and brightest. Elon's salary is not at issue but would YOU work at VW for that amount - and some future based stock options. I doubt many can afford to do so - Elan has other income streams. While it certainly depends what the term "Upper management" means - again - as an example - what does the diesel scandal have to do with upper management at Bentley - which is setting sales records - as are other divisions. This is not an easy task.

Tom, you certainly have a point. I'm referring to "upper" management, not the general managers that actually get the work done. You are right that there certainly are a good number of employees/managers that they need to retain. And of course you can't compare what Musk takes as a paycheck, since he's already stinking rich from his other endeavors. They deserve a salary that matches their duties and responsibilities, but I do believe that stock options could be more valuable than strictly a cash bonus, if they can get things going in the right direction.

I haven't soured on a VW product, but I need to see how well they take care of us existing customers before I consent to being a returning customer.

And the article itself is referring to the Management Board, not the rank and file managers. I don't think the board deserves anything until they get things fixed.

The beatings will continue until morale improves!

Zero pay is the correct answer.