"What motivates me to work in another country is having the opportunity to make the company more competitive. This makes me feel like I'm growing and learning," said Buetow, who is currently part of the Stanford executive education program.

He added that he has learned much during his time in Shanghai, and not all of it is related to the job. Buetow said it was only here that he learned about how millions of young people from rural areas migrate to work in major cities within China.

"It is really fascinating how so many of them travel home during the holidays, even if it's a short one, just to reconnect with their families. It shows how important family is in Chinese culture," he said.

"It's also interesting how grandparents play a very active role in childcare here, much more so than in other cultures. Seeing the strong family bonds here makes me want to have the same."

The American might just be able to do that in a few years when he reaches retirement age. But true to his passion for the auto industry, he concedes that he'll only leave if he has nothing left to contribute.

For now, Buetow is happy to enjoy his time in Shanghai. He enjoys cycling around the Century Park in Pudong New Area where he resides. Despite being a car aficionado, Buetow does not actually drive in the city.

"The metro system in Shanghai is probably the most reliable I've ever seen. I can get to almost anywhere in the city with it. Finding out how easy it is to move from one place to another in this city was the biggest surprise I got," he said.

But as idyllic and scenic Century Park is, the effervescent scenes along the Bund still rank as one of the most memorable local experiences for the American.

"Looking at the skyline, the boats on the river and the people walking on the Bund gives me goose bumps," he quipped.

"I've told people that Shanghai's like Manhattan, but on steroids. It's bigger, there are more people, and it's incredibly vibrant."