Belgian designer Pierre Leclercq has been granted Russian citizenship. This follows from a decree signed by Vladimir Putin.
Leclercq is known as a former BMW designer. His work includes the design of the BMW X5 and BMW X6 SUVs.
From 2013 to 2017, he headed the design division at the Chinese automaker Great Wall Motors. There he oversaw several projects, including the Haval H6 SUV.
He later worked at South Korea’s Kia Motors and then moved to France’s Citroen. He still serves there as head of design.
The published report does not say why the designer decided to obtain a Russian passport.