The creator of BMW X5 SUVs Pierre Leclerc received Russian citizenship

Belgian automotive designer Pierre Leclerc became a citizen of Russia. The corresponding decree was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"To take citizenship of the following persons <> Leclerc Pierre, born on July 29, 1972 in Belgium," the document says.

Pierre Leclerc studied industrial design at Saint-Luc High School of Art in Liege (Belgium), later received a degree in transportation design from the College of Art Center Design in Pasadena (California).

In 1998, he started working at BMW as an intern, after which he worked at the Italian body shop Zagato, as well as at the Ford-owned atelier Ghia.

In 2000-2013 he continued to work at BMW, at the same time headed the design of the BMW M sports division. He is known among the design developers of the iconic BMW X5 and X6 SUVs. In 2013-2017, Leclerc was the chief designer of the Chinese manufacturer Great Wall Motors, taking part in the creation of a number of Haval and WEY models. In 2017, he joined Kia, and then took up the post of chief designer of the French concern Citroen.