Regarding the protection of the rights and interests of Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Variant) vehicle owners from unlawful pressure and infringement of individual representatives of law enforcement agencies

01.12.2020

Dear owners of Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Variant) vehicles,

We thank you for your loyalty to the Volkswagen brand, as well as understanding and support of our efforts to deal with the situation surrounding the Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Variant)!

Unfortunately, both Porsche Ukraine LLC and the car owners are in thrall to illegal actions of individual representatives of investigative bodies abusing procedural norms, who go beyond their authority, and do not stop even before forging documents to reach their personal gain. We believe our further joint steps to counter it will help to solve the situation finally. The successful individual certification of VW Golf Sportwagen (Variant) and the renovation of the registration of most vehicles confirm the cars mentioned above meet all the requirements of Ukrainian legislation and the highest standards of the automotive industry.

Porsche Ukraine LLC, as an honest importer and an international Company with an impeccable business reputation, made every possible effort and financed the individual certification of Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Variant) cars at its own expense to give car owners the possibility to register their vehicles, thus protecting legal rights and interests of car owners.

Although, we have recently found out about the facts of the illegal pressure made by some representatives of the law enforcement agencies carried out not only against the Company and its officials but also against the owners of Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Variant) to increase illegal pressure on the Ukrainian branch of the international Company.

In the actions of such representatives of law enforcement agencies, we see illegal attempts to obtain unlawful material benefits by putting pressure on Porsche Ukraine LLC and Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Variant) car owners.

We found out that a group of representatives of the investigative bodies of the National Police of Ukraine unreasonably, by means of illegal manipulations and forgery of procedural documents initiated several identical criminal cases continuing to exert illegal pressure on Porsche Ukraine LLC, its management, as well as Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Variant) car owners. Such manipulations pursuing obvious corruption goals have given a formal reason to some members of the National Police to illegally prosecute and pressure Porsche Ukraine and its officials, including illegal interrogation of Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Variant) car owners, appealing and demanding cancellation of previously performed legal car registration, intending to inflict reputational damage on the Company.

In this regard, we would like to remind you that such actions of individual members of the National Police are entirely groundless and illegal. Porsche Ukraine LLC continues to communicate with the relevant government agencies for a final settlement of the issue to protect the interests and legal rights of our customers properly.

To put an end to the unlawful pressure, lawyers collected evidence of illegal actions made by individual members of the National Police, namely forgery of procedural documents, abuse of office and other gross procedural and criminal violations committed by the investigators. These facts are the basis for the appeal to the State Bureau of Investigation of Ukraine regarding the initiation of a criminal case to investigate the actions of individual investigators of the National Police.

Therefore, we address an open letter to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Prime Minister of Ukraine and the Chairman of the Commission for Business Protection D.A. Shmyhal, the Prosecutor General I.V. Venedyktova, the Minister of Internal Affairs A.B. Avakov, acting Chairman of the State Bureau of Investigation O.O. Sukhachov, the Chairman of the Temporary Investigation Commission of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Investors Protection H.I. Yanchenko, the Head of the Office of the National Investment Council O.I. Mahaletska, as well as heads of influential business associations of Ukraine with the request to pay attention, within their powers and competence, to the situation, to act as a guarantor of the rights and legitimate interests of Porsche Ukraine, its officials, as well as the owners of more than 2,700 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Variant) cars which became hostages of individual representatives of the law enforcement agencies.

Addressing the persons listed, we hereby ask them to take measures to end the illegal procedural pressure on Porsche Ukraine LLC, its officials and customers, as well as to organize a joint meeting with representatives of the Prosecutor General's Office, the National Police of Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and its Main Service Center, and representatives of Porsche Ukraine to discuss steps to resolve the described problematic situation.

Also, we would like to emphasize that due to the illegal actions of individual representatives of law enforcement agencies during 2.5 years, Porsche Ukraine has suffered significant financial and reputational losses. If the situation of undue pressure on the Company, which caused thousands of car owners to become hostages, is not stopped in the near future, it may force the Company and its foreign shareholders to apply to judicial and international arbitration bodies for compensation for financial losses and reputational damage.

We will continue making every effort to successfully resolve this problematic situation in close cooperation with all parties concerned. We would also like to express gratitude to customers of Porsche Ukraine for their patience and lasting support of our efforts to resolve the situation.

Should you have any additional questions, do not hesitate to contact us via e-mail: customer_care(kwfat)porscheukraine.com(kwfdot)ua

Your Porsche Ukraine team.

About technical and ecological standards of Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Variant) vehicles

03.06.2020

Dear Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Variant) owners!

By this address we want to thank you for continued commitment and constructive dialogue in the process of renewing vehicles registration. Only thanks to your cooperation and understanding we were able to successfully complete the process of individual certification and to start the vehicles renovation of registration.

We continue to make every effort to successfully complete the renovation process in close cooperation with all parties involved.

Due to the fact that from time to time there are questions about the technical characteristics of mentioned vehicles we would kindly like to remind you that VW Golf Sportwagen (Variant) vehicles meet all the safety and ecological standards requirements, as has been previously communicated by Porsche Ukraine (see Update on Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Variant) owners, 28.09.2018).

May we once again draw your attention to the fact that VW Golf Sportwagen (Variant) vehicles are equipped with EA288 engine, which fully complies with all Ukrainian regulations including technical and environmental safety requirements, as well as emissions limits, which has been confirmed by their individual certification.

Accept our heartfelt gratitude for your patience and continuous support in resolving the situation.

Should you have any additional questions, do not hesitate to contact us at +380 (44) 492 97 27*1003 or via e-mail: customer_care(kwfat)porscheukraine.com(kwfdot)ua

Your Porsche Ukraine.

Address to Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Variant) owners

29.11.2019

Dear Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Variant) owners!

Successful individual certification of the VW Golf Sportwagen (Variant) cars and renovation of the registration of the majority of the vehicles prove that the mentioned cars meet all the requirements of the Ukrainian legislation and the highest standards of the automotive industry.

Nevertheless, the investigation of the criminal case by the Ukrainian law enforcement bodies on the inconsistencies, admitted in the initial process of the certification, continues. We continue our communication with respective state bodies to support investigation and to ensure, that the interests of our customers are duly protected and the situation is resolved as soon as possible.

Lately we became familiar with the practice of Ukrainian state bodies to approach VW Golf Sportwagen (Variant) owners directly either to check registration certificate by traffic stops or to call car owners for an interview within the ongoing criminal case.

Should you receive any request from law enforcement bodies directly, please do not hesitate to contact us as soon as possible.

Please be advised that the procedure of invitation for an interrogation by law enforcement bodies shall be executed with a strict compliance with the Ukrainian legislation. Therefore, in case of being called for the interrogation we recommend that the written paper invitation (subpoena) to be received in advance (at least 3 days).   

Please kindly note, that VW Golf Sportwagen (Variant) cars fulfill all Ukrainian regulations on a technical scale including safety and environmental requirements as well as emissions limits, which was repeatedly confirmed by individual certification. Let us ensure you that any actions by law enforcement bodies directed to restrict your mobility, including vehicle registration cancellation, contradict the right of the owner to use or dispose of his/her property granted by the Constitution of Ukraine. Porsche Ukraine is applying maximum efforts to guarantee official acknowledgement of such facts on vehicle compliance with local regulation by law enforcement agencies.

Should you in the meanwhile face the situation described above we kindly ask you to immediately contact our call-center 380 (44) 492 97 27*1003or via e-mail: customer_care(kwfat)porscheukraine.com(kwfdot)ua and we will do our best to resolve the situation as soon as possible.

Let us extend our deepest gratitude for your understanding, continuous support and patience in mutually resolving the situation.

Your Porsche Ukraine team.

Address to Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Variant) owners

01.11.2019

Dear Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Variant) owners!

By this address we want to thank you for remaining loyal Volkswagen customer and for supporting our joint efforts regard to the resolution of the situation with the Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Variant).

Please find the update on the most recent developments in our project below.

As of today, we have almost accomplished the first major step of the renovation process, individual certification of all the cars involved, which is the proper confirmation, that the cars are safe and sound and meet the highest quality, security and safety standards of the contemporary automotive industry.

The next major step is the actual renewal of the car registration. As of today, the majority of car owners all over Ukraine have received new registration documents and confirmed the legal status of the cars and car ownership. We are working hard to accomplish the project within the next months to satisfy our customers.

Having said this and bearing in mind the ongoing investigation of the case by the Ukrainian law enforcement agencies, we have been in regular touch with respective state agencies to support investigation and to ensure, that the interests of our customers are properly safeguarded and duly protected.

Notwithstanding this, we are aware of the practice of Ukrainian law enforcement bodies to approach service centers with the aim to cancel respective car registrations. And we can't exclude the application of such practices in this case as well, which might eventually end up in restricting your mobility.

The target may be the cars, which have not undergone the renovation of registration yet.

Please kindly note, that we consider such practices as illegitimate and contradictory to the right of the owner to use or dispose of his/her property granted by the Constitution of Ukraine. Moreover, illegality of the practice of vehicle registration cancelation based on letters from law enforcement bodies is confirmed by respective court practice. Therefore, Porsche Ukraine is applying maximum efforts to preclude it from happening and protect its customers.

Should you in the meanwhile face the situation described above we kindly ask you to immediately contact our call-center +380 (44) 492 97 27*1003  or via e-mail: customer_care(kwfat)porscheukraine.com(kwfdot)ua and we will do our best to cure the situation as soon as possible.

Needless to say, that we are always at your disposal for any kind of queries, which might arise.

Finally, we want to express our appreciation for your understanding, continuous support and patience and your efforts in helping us to accomplishing the project as soon as possible.

Your Porsche Ukraine team.

Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Variant) owners` Customer service phone number has been changed.

2018-12-27

New contact: +380 (44) 492 97 27*1003 

Please note, that the line is available from 08:00 to 20:00 Monday-Friday.

E-mail: customer_care(kwfat)porscheukraine.com(kwfdot)ua

Thank you for cooperation!

Update on Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Variant).

2018-09-28

As recently announced, Porsche Ukraine started working with affected customers to obtain a new individual certification starting August 15th. So far, already half of the vehicles in question have obtained individual certification. The successful certification is the official, authoritative confirmation that the vehicles fulfill all Ukrainian regulations on a technical scale including safety and environmental requirements as well as emissions limits. The individual certification is the first step to ensure continued operation of imported Golf Sportwagen (Variant) vehicles that are affected by irregularities around the issuance of the original homologation certificate.

In addition, Porsche Ukraine has initiated the second final step: the registration of the first subset of affected vehicles. In the now initiated pilot project, the first owner has received new registration certificate. We are working at full speed on the subsequent registration of all delivered vehicles.

The respective customers will be contacted by telephone directly. As reported earlier Porsche Ukraine intents to cover related costs and will provide compensation to all affected clients.

We are in continuous and close contact with all our customers and will keep them informed about the next steps.

If you have any questions or additional information, please contact us:

Hotline: +380 (44) 492 97 27*1003

E-mail: customer_care(kwfat)porscheukraine.com(kwfdot)ua

Information for Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Variant) owners. Start of individual certification.

2018-08-17

On 24 May, Porsche Ukraine has reported indications of irregularities around the issuance of the homologation certificate for Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Variant) vehicles.

In this regard, we inform you that the proposed solution for the issue requires individual certification and registration of Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Variant) vehicles.
Starting August 15, 2018, individual certification of Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Variant) for the first subset of owners has begun.

Please wait for a phone call from "VW Golf Sportwagen Customer service" to select the date and time of your car individual certification, which will be convenient for you.

If you have any questions or additional information, please contact us:

Hotline: +380 (44) 492 97 27*1003

E-mail: customer_care(kwfat)porscheukraine.com(kwfdot)ua

Porsche Ukraine very much regrets the inconvenience to customers and endeavors to roll-out the full solution for all affected customers as soon as possible.

Updated on 2018-08-27

Porsche Ukraine provides Update on process regarding Golf Sportwagen (Variant)

2018-07-19

Updated on 20.07.2018

On May 24, Porsche Ukraine reported indications of irregularities around the issuance of the homologation certificate for 2,800 Golf Sportwagen (Variant) model vehicles, which were produced in Mexico and imported into the Ukraine since September 2017 by Porsche Ukraine. There are no indications that any other models of the Volkswagen brand or the Group are affected. Regarding the potential irregularities concerning Golf Sportwagen (Variant) vehicles, an unconditional investigation is currently underway but not yet concluded.

The process of official communication with the competent authorities is ongoing to find a legally sound and customer-friendly solution. It is our clear objective that our customers do not suffer any disadvantages. The affected vehicles are classified as being roadworthy and fully operational. Porsche Ukraine makes major efforts; a possible shutdown of cars is considered to be highly unlikely.

We are working towards the certification of the affected vehicles and are currently looking into the precise details of this process. In this context, we have conducted several initial steps that led up to a successful certification. A potential re-registration is being assessed. Once the detailed process has been conclusively evaluated, all vehicles can be remediated preliminary within a reasonable period of a few months. We will guide affected customers through the upcoming process, intent to cover related costs and provide compensation for the inconvenience. For this, we will set up a scheme in which our extensive dealer network will accompany our customers in order to guarantee a swift implementation.

Porsche Ukraine very much regrets the inconvenience to customers and endeavors to reach a customer-friendly solution as soon as possible

Porsche Ukraine checks for possible irregularities that occurred in the process of issuance of the certificate for imported vehicles Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen (Variant).

2018-05-24

We have indications that there were irregularities in the process of issuance of the certificate for 2.800 vehicles of the model Golf Sportwagen (Variant). The vehicles were produced in Mexico and have been imported to the country since September 2017 by Porsche Ukraine.

We are currently working intensively on clarifying the facts and on a customer-friendly solution for the affected vehicles. For this purpose we are in official contact with the competent authorities. As soon as we have clarity on the next steps, we will report promptly.