The indictments were announced as the DoJ gave details of a broader settlement between the carmaker and U.S. authorities.

The individuals are former VW brand head of development Hainz-Jakob Neusser; former VW head of engine development Jens Hadler; Richard Dorenkamp, who led a team of engineers that developed the first diesel engine designed to meet new U.S. emissions standards; former VW quality manager Bernd Gottweis; former environment and engineering office manager Oliver Schmidt; and quality manager Juergen Peter.

"Faceless multinational corporations don't commit crimes; flesh and blood people commit crimes," U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Q Yates told a news conference in Washington.

(Reporting by Edward Taylor; Editing by Georgina Prodhan)