Which Pixar director co-wrote and directed the original Cars film?

John Lasseter co-wrote and directed Pixar’s original Cars film.

Lasseter was one of Pixar’s founding creative leaders and had previously directed Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, and Toy Story 2. Cars became his fourth feature as director and extended Pixar’s interest in emotionally expressive worlds populated by nonhuman characters.

The film was inspired partly by Lasseter’s family road trips and by research into U.S. Route 66. Pixar artists and filmmakers traveled the historic highway to study its landscapes, businesses, and remaining roadside communities.

Joe Ranft and Jorgen Klubien also received writing credits on the film. Lasseter later co-directed Cars 2 with Brad Lewis. Cars 3 was directed by Brian Fee, making it the only main Cars feature not directed by Lasseter.