James McLachlan is the editor of Car Design News, where he analyzes how vehicle design intersects with technology, sustainability, and urban planning. His work emphasizes accessibility—celebrating budget-conscious innovations as rigorously as luxury concepts.
McLachlan’s career began in architectural journalism, where he honed his ability to dissect spatial narratives and material innovation as editor of Icon and contributor to the Architects’ Journal. This foundation informs his distinctive approach to automotive reporting—treating cars as mobile architecture that reflects societal values and technological aspirations.
This insider analysis of Ford’s leadership reshuffle dissects how executive moves impact design philosophies. McLachlan traces Kemal Curic’s legacy at Lincoln—noting his emphasis on “quiet luxury” interiors—and contrasts it with the performance-driven ethos of Ford’s racing division. The piece underscores his ability to connect corporate strategy with tangible design outcomes, such as Lincoln’s pivot to biometric seating systems under new director Christine Cheng.
A deep dive into the budget SUV’s unexpected success, this article positions the Duster as a case study in functional aesthetics. McLachlan interviews Dacia’s lead color-and-materials designer to reveal how cost constraints sparked innovation, like recycled polyester seat fabrics that outperformed luxury alternatives in durability testing. The analysis challenges elitist notions of “good design,” highlighting accessibility as a creative catalyst.
McLachlan’s interview with Vidal dissects the Renault 5 E-Tech’s retro-futurist revival, blending archival research with VR prototyping insights. He emphasizes how Vidal’s team balanced nostalgia (replicating 1970s dashboard textures via 3D-printed molds) with aerodynamics, achieving a 12% drag reduction over previous models. The piece exemplifies his skill in translating technical processes into compelling narratives for design enthusiasts.
McLachlan prioritizes stories that explore how vehicle design intersects with broader trends like urbanization or climate policy. For example, his coverage of Lancia’s revival linked Brutalist architecture to the brand’s angular new EV concepts. Pitches should emphasize metrics—e.g., how a material innovation reduces production emissions by X% while maintaining crash-test standards.
He frequently spotlights mid-career designers shaping niche segments, such as Dacia’s sustainability team. When pitching interviews, provide access to practitioners with specific technical expertise (e.g., AI-driven clay modeling) rather than C-suite executives.
Successful pitches frame new developments within design history. His analysis of Tata’s reborn Sierra SUV drew parallels to 1980s Japanese kei cars, demonstrating how retro designs can appeal to Gen Z when paired with modular interiors.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Automotive, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
