Engineer, Mother, and Myself: Finding My True Self in a Mustang

点击链接，阅读中文版本《是工程师，也是母亲，但坐进Mustang我就是自己》

Anqi has a habit: she always looks back after parking her car.

No matter where it’s parked, her Yellow 7th-Generation Mustang is impossible to ignore. It demands that second look.

Anqi is a young Interior Engineer at Ford and a new mother who recently returned from maternity leave. She is also a veteran car enthusiast, a fanatic of professional racing, and a self-described "social butterfly"—a classic ENFP who brings joy wherever she goes.

Anqi Xuan and her pony car

From Inner Mongolia to Madrid: The Unstoppable ENFP

Born and raised in Inner Mongolia, Anqi moved to Shanghai for university to pursue a "hardcore" degree: Mechanical Design, Manufacturing, and Automation.

"I’ve always been good at math and physics, and I’ve always loved cars," she says. After graduation, she made a bold move—heading to Spain for a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. She spent a year learning Spanish from scratch, eventually completing her two-year graduate program and thesis in the language.

"I truly enjoy the feeling of learning something from zero until I master it. It makes me feel like my life is in my own hands."

Anqi’s passion for racing is intense. During university, she often used free tickets to watch F1 Friday practice sessions, which sparked her lifelong obsession with racing culture. From F1 to the World Endurance Championship (WEC), she keeps a close eye on the track—especially Ford’s performance across global series.

She is also an avid traveler who finds joy in the simple things—like enjoying a bowl of instant noodles under the hot air balloons of Cappadocia or facing the majestic Mount Cook in New Zealand.

Meeting Ford: The Confidence to Fail and the Heart of Respect

Anqi’s graduation project focused on production line management, a field where Ford—the pioneer of the moving assembly line—is a permanent fixture.

In 2020, during Ford’s campus recruiting, Anqi chose the Blue Oval over several other OEMs. Her decision was sealed by a few key moments during the interview process.

At the time, many local manufacturers in China still held subconscious gender biases during hiring. But Ford was different. "The interviewers didn't ask personal questions about my relationship status or plans for a family," Anqi recalls. "They treated me as a peer, focusing entirely on my strengths." This human-centric approach gave her a profound sense of respect.

Among several job offers, she chose the one that felt most like home: Ford.

Anqi joined the Interior Team in January 2021. Seeing the energy and positivity of the employees at the Ford Research and Engineering Center (REC) confirmed she had made the right choice.

Her journey from a "GT" (Graduate Trainee) to a lead engineer who coordinates complex projects was fueled by Ford’s inclusive culture. "My manager told me, ‘Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Everyone does. Only by knowing where the problem is can you grow.’" This psychological safety empowered her to be bold and proactive in problem-solving.

Meanwhile, Ford’s rigorous Global Product Development System (GPDS) taught her another vital lesson: Reverence.

"The more you understand this industry, the more you respect it. The more you love speed, the more you must respect safety."

Having witnessed the layers of durability, crash, and safety validations—from components to full vehicles—she knows that those long, grueling tests are a commitment to every life on the road.

The 40-Kilometer Commute and Pursuit of Freedom

Late last year, Anqi took on a new role: Mother. Her son is now six months old.

Early in her pregnancy, she worried about the "career-mom" anxieties often discussed online. But at Ford, she saw a different reality. "I see so many mothers at Ford who are still shining brightly in their careers."

Ford provided tangible support. During her pregnancy, her manager encouraged her to leave early during bad weather and relieved her of late-evening meetings when her energy flagged. The company’s flexible policies allowed her to navigate the physical changes of pregnancy with grace.

After maternity leave, the team’s support ensured a smooth transition back to her role as a project engineer.

"Being willing to have a child—or even a second one—while at a company shows a high level of trust," Anqi says. "You know Ford will support you and pave the way, so you feel brave enough to do it." She summarizes her experience at Ford in one word: Support.

Yet, the exhaustion of motherhood is real. "I am happy, but physically, it’s tough. I’m tired," she admits candidly.

In those moments, her yellow Mustang and her 40-kilometer daily commute become her "mobile sanctuary."

"At home, I am a mother. At the office, I am an engineer. But on the road, listening to my favorite music in this car, I am completely myself. I am free."

She hopes that as her son grows up, he will be proud of his mom—a hardcore automotive engineer who drives a sports car. She even plans to give him this Mustang as a college graduation gift, much like Sam’s first car in Transformers.

Mustang and Breaking Labels: Who Says Girls Don't Love Machines?

To Anqi, a car is more than transportation; it’s an emotional anchor.

Since joining Ford, she has purchased three vehicles: a Lincoln Nautilus with a V6 engine for her family (for its power and refinement); a Mustang Mach-E GT for her husband (to join the EV revolution); and in 2024, a 7th-Gen Mustang in "Yellow Splash" for herself.

She nicknamed her car "Real Madrid" to commemorate her life in Madrid, Spain and the unforgettable yellow Pony logo. "Real Madrid and “Yellow Pony" are homophones in Chinese. When she drives through the city, enjoying the roar of the engine, she feels the "emotional value" it brings. "Looking back at it after parking—that’s freedom. That’s love."

She even started a social media account to share Mustang knowledge and photos, aiming to break stereotypes. "On social media, people assume I’m a male owner. When I reply that I’m a woman, they are always surprised," she says.

"Girls can love machinery, they can excel at physics and math, and they can be automotive engineers. I want to use my small platform to help shift that bias."

Every morning, after stepping out of her car, she looks back at that yellow Mustang in the parking lot.

For her, that "Yellow Splash" represents the confidence of an engineer, the passion of a racing fan, and a slice of freedom every morning. It’s the legacy she wants to pass to her son—not just a car, but a way of life:

"Find what you truly love, and drive it with everything you’ve got."