By Monica Houston-Waesch

FRANKFURT--German sports car maker Porsche AG said Tuesday that board member Wolfgang Hatz, who had been suspended as part of the investigation into emissions rigging at parent company Volkswagen AG, would leave the company.

Mr. Hatz, who had been Porsche's head of development since 2011, is leaving at his own request. He will be replaced by Michael Steiner, who most recently headed quality control at Porsche's development center.

"Due to the length of time needed for the internal investigation and thus the continuing suspension, (Mr. Hatz) has decided to leave Porsche," the company said.

Porsche said Mr. Hatz has assisted in the investigation and until now there has been no evidence to indicate his involvement in the scandal.

According to Porsche's website, Hatz joined the Volkswagen Group in 2001, and previously served as head of engines and transmissions development at Audi until 2009.

Mr. Hatz was one of several executives suspended at the Volkswagen group last fall after the company admitted to installing software in millions of diesel vehicles that allowed them to dodge pollution standards.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 03, 2016 10:19 ET (14:19 GMT)