The revelations that German car manufacturer VW had purposely been misleading customers and authorities to believe their cars emitted less pollutants than they actually did rocked the world. But the ‘diesel dupe’, as the story has been dubbed could have another twist to it. A chapter of intrigue and industrial espionage. According to some unconfirmed reports emanating from VW headquarters in Germany, high level executives of the company are becoming increasingly suspicious that American technology giant Apple was behind the recent revelations. In the recent past Apple had announced it would enter the auto industry market with plans to manufacture electrical cars by 2020. US watchdog on environmental protection EPA was reportedly aware of the illegal software installed on VW engines for two years, as were EU bodies, but made the matter public a few months before VW planned to replace the ‘culprit’ engine with one in line with strict emissions regulations and specifications. The German car manufacturer, which had already successfully entered the tough US car market, had plans to expand its presence in the US by introducing its electrical cars by 2020. This would mean it would be a direct competitor of Apple. Apple, on its part has been going ‘head hunting’ for top car executives, offering up to double salaries to experienced professionals as part of their bold plans to make an impact in the car industry (note: some VW execs have already joined Apple). It was these former VW employees who crossed over to Apple and had inside information of the ‘guilty engine software’ that ‘snitched’ on their former company, according to some VW execs. The war between Apple and VW might just have begun.