Renault has placed its South Korean unit under the expanded Africa-Middle East-India-Pacific regional headquarters in its realignment of six regional business headquarters, Renault Samsung Motors said on March 20.

Renault Samsung had been part of Renault’s Asia-Pacific Region business headquarters together with the French carmaker’s operations in Japan, Australia, Southeast Asia and South Pacific areas, the company said in a statement.

“The latest realignment of six business headquarters is aimed at enhancing profitability of (regional business headquarters) and allowing quick responses to rapidly changing customer appetite,” it said.

Renault Samsung is now grouped in the Africa-Middle East-India-Pacific Region, and China remains in the Asia-Pacific sector to form a new China Region. The four others are Eurasia Region, Europe Region, France Region and America Region, the statement said.

The reorganization represents Renault’s intent to seek independence from Nissan models. Renault Samsung has asked for a new model to replace the Nissan Rogue sport utility vehicle as its manufacturing contract with the Japanese carmaker ends in September.

The announcement comes amid a growing row between Renault and Nissan Motor after the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance was shaken by the arrest of Carlos Ghosn, former chief of Renault and Nissan, who was accused of financial misconduct.

By Ram Garikipati and newswires (ram@heraldcorp.com)