A Tale of Two Cities: A Tribute to Ford China's Nomads of Talent

点击链接阅读中文版：《双城记》

In the fast-paced world of automotive manufacturing, the concept of 'home' is often fluid. For a dedicated group of Ford China employees, the work week begins not just with a login, but with a journey. Whether crossing provinces by high-speed rail or oceans by plane, these individuals live a 'Tale of Two Cities,' bridging distances to drive global quality and innovation.

@Haibin Li

JMC Export Model After-Sales Technical Support and Quality Improvement

For Haibin Li, Friday night isn't just the start of the weekend; it’s a four-hour ritual. On the train from Nanchang to Nanjing, the rhythm of the tracks becomes his makeshift office.

Between clearing emails and dial-in conferences, the miles melt away. By Sunday evening, he is back on the platform, heading toward Nanchang to start it all over again.

Since 2023, Haibin has lived this "dual-city" life. At the JMC plants in Xiaolan and Fushan, he manages a scope of work rarely seen in the Ford system: overseeing the after-sales quality for an entire fleet of export models single-handedly.

After-sales service team group photo with Middle Eastern distributors

His job is part engineering, part detective work. In the Middle East, he solved the mystery of "frozen" fuel gauges by discovering that locals keep their engines running during summer fill-ups to maintain the AC—a habit that baffled standard sensors.

In the Philippines, he traced unusual grille corrosion to volcanic sulfur in the humid air. Dealing with customs restrictions on parts and cross-border logistics is a far cry from domestic development, but Haibin thrives on it. "Here," he says, "the challenges are more real, and the responsibilities more diverse."

“The high point was seeing the Territory take over the world,” Haibin says, reflecting on 2024. With 300,000 units sold across 84 countries, the project earned global accolades for both sales and quality.

Ford Territory export model awards

Haibin is far from alone in this journey. He is part of a dedicated cohort of more than sixty Ford colleagues seconded to JMC in Nanchang—including Eric Hermann, Emma Kang, Celia Cai, Kim Jin, Eric Yu, Peter Zhang, Michael Wang, Wenny Wang, and He Yanling. These professionals play vital roles across marketing, HR, product development, and quality control, all while balancing their lives as parents, partners, and children.

@David Li

CAF Chongqing Plant Project Management

David with Chongqing secondee colleagues

David is no stranger to the "expat" life, but his current mission in Chongqing is his most high-stakes yet. For David, being on the factory floor isn't about observation; it’s about rapid-fire decision-making.

His greatest "win" this past year was bringing the Mondeo export project back from the brink. Originally destined for North Africa, the project was sitting in the "ICU," nearly canceled due to thin profit margins. Refusing to let it go, David spent a sweltering Chongqing summer holiday rallying teams and slashing investment costs. He didn't just save the project; he secured the future of a flagship export.

David during his first overseas assignment in North America

David’s international vision was forged back in 2012.

As a young engineer in North America, he played a pivotal role in pivoting a planned MPV into the SUV that would become the first-generation domestic Edge.

He recalls the thrill of receiving prototype parts at his US home and hand-carrying them to the test track.

“Seeing that first Edge roll off the line was a moment I’ll never forget,” he says.

Today, he uses that same "people-first" philosophy to bridge the gap between Chinese manufacturing and global market demands, having spent 15 years growing alongside the Ford brand.

David (first from right) and colleagues at the 2014 Ford Edge production launch

@Eric Li

Battery Manufacturing Engineering Manager

at Pudong Airport before departure

In September 2025, Eric Li and a team of 20 specialists boarded a flight for Marshall, Michigan.

Their mission represented a historic shift in Ford’s narrative.

A decade ago, Ford engineers went to America to learn. Today, Eric and his team are there to teach. Armed with deep expertise in battery cell engineering and manufacturing processes developed in China, they are the architects ensuring the new Michigan battery plant hits its production targets.

As the lead for the Chinese contingent, Eric is the "human bridge."

He navigates the delicate friction between Chinese suppliers and American teams, aligning different cultures, languages, and technical standards.

“My job is to pull everyone together,” Eric explains. “In my world, you have to be the ‘glue’ that makes the machinery work.”

When the workday ends, the team gathers to cure homesickness the best way they know how: through food. The quiet, analytical Eric turns into a master chef on the weekends. “Seafood porridge, pickled fish, braised chicken feet—I don't hold back,” he laughs. For Eric and his team, the kitchen is where they recharge for the high-tech challenges of tomorrow.

The Closing Note

These assignments are more than professional shifts; they are "two-way journeys." Individuals break through their own limits, while the company accelerates through cultural fusion.

These stories of crossing borders and delivering value are the living embodiment of "One Team, One Goal." We salute every Ford employee who stays in motion, creating value for a brand that is truly rooted in China and moving toward the world.