In his work log, Kang Shuaiguo, an employee of China YTO Truck Group, wrote: “Let every YTO tractor become a legend on the black soil.”
Earlier this year, Kang Shuaiguo stood at the security checkpoint at Beijing Airport, clutching his ticket to Mexico. It was his first time flying to the Americas. His suitcase was packed with repair tools and parts, but his heart felt like a throbbing tractor—a mixture of anticipation and trepidation.
The heat wave at Mexico City International Airport wafted through the air, carrying the aroma of tequila. Luis, the after-sales manager for the local dealer, greeted Kang Shuaiguo at the airport. He warmly embraced him and said, “We’ve been waiting for you for a long time, our Chinese friend.” Luis’s Spanish was thick with Latin American accents, and Kang Shuaiguo managed to grasp the gist of what he said. On the way to Jalisco, the cactus forest outside the car window cast strange shadows under the scorching sun. Luis suddenly pointed in the distance: “Look, that’s our cornfield.” Amidst the golden waves of corn, several blue YTO tractors were working. Kang Shuaiguo counted five of the new models exported last year. “Your tractors are incredibly powerful,” Luis smiled, patting Kang Shuaiguo on the shoulder.
Kang Shuaiguo’s first demonstration after arriving in Mexico took place in Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state. As the YTO tractors continuously completed harrowing and feed mixing tasks in 38-degree heat, the audience erupted in applause. Mr. Perez, the largest local farmer, signed an order for two units on the spot. He shook Kang Shuaiguo’s hand and said, “Chinese tractors are like Mexican chilies—powerful!”
But Kang Shuaiguo was even more proud of the test in Veracruz. Under the scorching Caribbean sun, the YTO tractors were forced to pull 120 tons of cargo. As the engine roar reached its peak, Kang Shuaiguo’s palms sweated with nervousness. As the wheels slowly turned, the oil temperature gauge on the dashboard remained within safe limits. “This is the best machine I’ve ever seen!” The drivers present gave him a thumbs-up.
However, the ensuing rainy season brought relentless downpours that made Kang Shuaiguo’s repair work even more difficult. When Kang Shuaiguo discovered the tractor awaiting repair in a muddy field, the owner, Sanchez, was already frantically scrambling. Kang Shuaiguo toiled through the rain, drenched in sweat, completing the repair. When the engine restarted, Sanchez suddenly pulled out a bottle of tequila and said, “This is a hero’s reward!” For Kang Shuaiguo, customer recognition is the ultimate reward.
During his four months in Mexico, Kang Shuaiguo traversed arid deserts and humid beaches, witnessing the performance of YTO tractors in diverse climates. The sun-faded cabs and mud-stained tires spoke volumes about the resilience of Chinese manufacturing. At that moment, Kang Shuaiguo deeply realized that every part of a tractor is the face of the YTO brand, requiring meticulous attention to detail. Kang Shuaiguo was filled with confidence in the future: YTO tractors must not only expand globally but also establish themselves firmly and reliably.
