SAIC Motor has underlined its ambitious plans for the Middle East by announcing the appointment of Tom Lee as its new regional head. Lee’s appointment as managing director marks his return to a region where he previously enjoyed success as Hyundai Motor Co.’s vice president and head of operations in the Middle East and Africa. The move is also a major statement of intent by the brand, which is China’s biggest car manufacturer and is ranked 46th on the Fortune Global 500 list. Using his knowledge and understanding of the Middle East, Lee is tasked with expanding the company’s presence and enhancing its sales network and market structure in the region.

• The Renault-Nissan Alliance has reported a 16 percent increase in synergies for 2016 compared to 2015. The alliance members secured savings, generated incremental revenues and implemented cost-avoidance measures through the world’s leading automotive partnership. The value of annualized synergies realized by the alliance rose to €5 billion ($5.6 billion) last year, up from €4.3 billion in 2015. Savings in purchasing, engineering and manufacturing were behind most if the €700 million synergy improvement. “The growing cooperation across the Alliance is delivering strong benefits for the members of the Alliance, reflected by the economies of scale, technological breakthroughs and innovations that are being shared between Renault and Nissan,” said Carlos Ghosn, chairman and chief executive of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. “We are on track to realize synergies of €5.5 billion in 2018, even before taking into account the contributions from Mitsubishi Motors, our new Alliance partner.”

• Volkswagen (VW) Middle East has appointed Desmond Van Den Berg as after-sales director, to further develop and enhance the brand’s position as the industry continues its shift toward autonomous driving and vehicle electrification. Van Den Berg brings 20 years’ experience in the automotive industry to the role. Prior to joining VW Middle East, he led the after-sales operations for the brand in Saudi Arabia. He has worked with the VW Group for over 10 years, initially joining the team in South Africa in 2007, where he was responsible for after-sales for over 22 African importers.

• The third model in the BMW i electric range is set for launch in 2018. The BMW i8 Roadster is expected to be virtually silent and with zero local emissions. BMW i, which is represented in 54 countries, currently includes the BMW i3 electric car model for urban areas, and the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car. Technologies that have debuted successfully in BMW i cars are carried over to parent-brand BMW’s other models.