Jim Farley, the CEO of Ford Motor Company, is acutely cognizant of the formidable threat that Chinese automakers pose to his business. With this in mind, he made a personal trip to China, where he test - drove vehicles from several Chinese manufacturers. After this experience, he came to the conclusion that the technological prowess of Chinese vehicles significantly outstrips that of vehicles from other regions across the globe, presenting a potential competitive edge.

Farley stressed to his team the significance of taking Chinese competitors seriously. During his visit, he brought back five electric vehicles made in China, and he was particularly impressed by the Xiaomi SU7. Jim Farley openly admitted that the advanced state of Chinese automotive technology is truly "humbling." He also recognized that if Ford doesn't keep pace, the company's future will be in jeopardy.

Moreover, when Ford hired Doug Field, it was already lagging behind its competitors in relevant fields by 25 years. Doug Field pointed out that Ford's component release systems, IT infrastructure, and CAD design tools are all antiquated. As a result, Ford is unable to hold its own against rivals like BYD. He emphasized that there is an urgent need for Ford to bolster its professional capabilities.