Cars 2 was the first Pixar Cars film directed by Brad Lewis.
Lewis had worked as a producer on Pixar’s Ratatouille before moving into the director’s role for the Cars sequel. He co-directed Cars 2 with John Lasseter, who had directed the original Cars and remained closely associated with the franchise.
The sequel changed the series’ genre emphasis. Instead of focusing mainly on a stranded racer learning humility, Cars 2 combines the World Grand Prix with an international spy adventure centered on Mater and British agent Finn McMissile.
Brad Lewis did not direct Cars 3; Brian Fee directed that film. The Cars franchise later expanded into the television series Cars on the Road, which is separate from the three theatrical features.