Shanghai (ZXZC)- Henry Li, vice president, marketing and sales, Ford Greater China and president, Ford National Distribution Services Divison (NDSD), chose to leave the company for health and family reasons, effective Dec.31,2018, Ford China said in a statement.

Chen Anning, Ford China President and CEO, failed to persuade Henry to stay, but expressed his understanding and pity. “Henry has made significant contributions to Ford and he will be missed.”

Henry’s successor will be Joseph (Yuehai) Liu, who has been named vice president, Marketing and Sales, Ford China, and acting president, NDSD, effective immediately. Joseph, a veteran in marketing and sales, has mover 30 years of experience in the auto industry.

The NDSD, set up by Ford and its local partner Changan Auto in July, is responsible for the marketing, sales and service of Ford’s passenger vehicles in China. “As an important part of Ford’s transformation in China, we are fully committed to building a successful sales division in China.”

On October 24, Ford Motor Company announced that Ford is reorganizing its Asia Pacific operations in order to speed the company’s global transformation and its implementation of Ford’s “In China, For China” strategy. Ford China is elevated to a stand-alone business unit, which will report directly to Ford global headquarters. The company named Chen Anning, former CEO of Chery Automobile, as president and CEO of Ford China, effective November 1.

Ford has been building a team streamlined in organization, efficient in decision-making and abundant in experienced talents so as to meet the rapidly changing market and constantly upgraded need. Thus, Chen has established China Operational Committee which includes Joseph, Mao Jingbo, president of Lincoln Asia Pacific and China, as members.