CJ Hubbard

Head of the Digital Automotive Hub

CJ has been writing about cars professionally since 2006 – and though rumours that ‘car’ was his first word remain unconfirmed, his enthusiasm goes back a long way, and for better or worse he even holds a master’s degree in automotive journalism from Coventry University.

Following stints at CAR magazine and specialist automotive editorial agency Motoring Research, where he wrote for titles as diverse as PistonHeads, Auto Express, City AM and Microsoft’s MSN network, he switched to largely writing about vans and pickups for Parkers.co.uk in 2016, having decided it was about time he did ‘something useful’.

In 2022, however, he took up a new role as the head of the Bauer UK digital automotive hub, working with the close-knit team that provides much of the content for Parkers.co.uk and CAR online, as well as review content for CAR's world-renowned print magazine. This means more cars, but he continues to keep a close-eye on the ever-shifting van market as well.

Highlights of what has been a considerably varied career so far include driving a Range Rover through India (Friday-night traffic in Surat has to be experienced to be believed) and a hydrogen-powered Mercedes across the Australian outback, getting a passenger ride with Ken Block, and spending six months daily driving a Lamborghini Huracan. Long-term test vehicles have been downhill ever since.

His work has appeared in print and online right across the globe, as well as on video.

About his current role, CJ says: ‘It's a fascinating time to be a motoring writer, as the world tries to align itself with the continuing need for personal mobility and growing concerns about the environment and the future of the planet. My ambition is to help deliver content, including news, reviews and advice, that reflects this modern reality in a practical, interesting and entertaining way. Making Parkers.co.uk the destination for trustworthy information that's also good to read.'

Some of CJ's top tips for Parkers readers are:

Make sure you take a test drive - and properly consider whether the vehicle you're thinking about buying suits your needs and lifestyle
Don't make assumptions - make sure the kit you want is actually included in the price and take some time to understand how it works
Shop around - whether you're buying a new car, your insurance or the latest in-car gadget, it's always worth double-checking you're getting the best price

CJ is also keenly focused on the latest motoring trends – especially in the areas of electrification and technology. He remains unconvinced that a fully autonomous car will ever be offered for public sale in his lifetime, but fears legislation will continue to take the fun out of driving until we all might as well be getting the bus anyway.