DriveSmart is based in Canberra, Australia with agents in Sydney and Melbourne.  Our dedicated management team are:

Michael Lieu - Founder and Managing Director
 
It was Michael's frustration with Sydney's ever-changing streets and one-way roads that led him to start DriveSmart GPS Hire Australia in 2006.  Juggling full-time university studies, an IT business and a technical support job after hours, Michael established DriveSmart after trying to find a simple solution to his navigation woes. "In-car GPS sat nav was still very new back then - and quite expensive," says Michael. "I just wanted to hire a GPS unit for a few days without breaking the bank".  
 
Michael's experience in IT and web business development have helped him make DriveSmart become Australia's first GPS hiring business and led him to be awarded the Australian runner-up of the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards.
 
Michael has a combined Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Information Technology from the Australian National University (ANU). In his fleeting spare moments, Michael is a sailing instructor for a local sailing club.  He also loves cooking, formula one, snowboarding and travelling the world.


James Battams - Business Development Manager

James is DriveSmart's newest team member. His background is the hi-fi industry, where he can still be found now and again. Despite his upbringing in the labyrinth-like festival of roundabouts that is Canberra, he is frequently lost in Australia's larger cities.  He, like many of us, sees an ongoing need for guidance on our increasingly complex and three-dimensional road network. He also hates tolls, traffic, and (inexplicably) tunnels. He freely admits to being a "technosexual".

James was attracted to DriveSmart's modern business model and M.O. He is looking for fresh ways to deliver GPS services to travellers. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have any thoughts.

James has a Bachelor of Commerce from the ANU. He is interested in Corporate Governance and Business Ethics, and is a one-eyed supporter of the Carlton Blues.


Ali E - Operations Manager

Ali joined DriveSmart GPS Hire Australia in 2007 and has since witnessed this tiny business grow exponentially in a very short period of time. Having grown up around Europe, North America, and Australia, Ali truely knows what it means to be a lost traveller. He has endured many chaotic car trips without a GPS unit and understands the strain it can bring on family and relationships!

Ali's extensive IT background (including a speciality in computer forensics) has enabled him to run the technical aspects of DriveSmart and he enjoys every moment of it!

During his spare time, Ali is an avid ice hockey player (Go Habs!) and enjoys a good workout.