Articles by James Cleary

James Cleary
Deputy Editor

James Cleary is CarsGuide's Deputy Editor, with over four decades’ experience across automotive editorial, marketing, product planning and creative advertising.

He has written for national and international titles including Wheels, Drive, Carsales, Motor and Top Gear Australia providing everything from new product assessment and feature writing to industry analysis, news content and expert advice.

He’s spent time as an advanced driving instructor, and had the opportunity to experience rare and valuable classics here and overseas.

James worked in the PR and advertising/sales promotion teams at Mercedes-Benz Australia and has managed the Marketing Communications and Product Planning functions for Peugeot Australia. He also directed advertising client service for Hyundai Motor Company Australia and Volvo Australia.

James has a Bachelors Degree in Communications from Macquarie University and driving qualifications from multiple advanced schools, including Ian Luff Motivation.

He has been a member of the CarsGuide team for 10 years and as Deputy Editor manages everything from sub-editing to back-end platforms while creating written and visual content.

Expertise

  • New product assessment
  • Industry analysis
  • News content
  • Expert advice
  • Feature writing

Experience

  • BMW Performance Driving School
  • Lamborghini Winter Accademia
  • Master Maserati Driving School
  • Mercedes-AMG Snow Performance School
  • Porsche Level 4 Master training
  • Volkswagen Driving Experience program

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts (MassComm) | Macquarie University | 1981-1984

Featured publications

Mercedes-Benz CLA beats Porsche Taycan!
By James Cleary · 07 Nov 2024
Mercedes-Benz is closing in on the global launch of its all-new CLA sedan (due in early 2025) and in the final stages of pre-production testing has used it to set a new 24-hour distance record for an EV at the epic Nardò test track in southern Italy.
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Mercedes-Benz lops more than $10K off 300GLC
By James Cleary · 07 Nov 2024
There’s nothing like the heat of competition to sharpen a carmaker’s focus as the run towards the end of the calendar year approaches.
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Desert trek inspires special VW Amarok
By James Cleary · 05 Nov 2024
When a Guinness World Records observer is along for the ride you know something extraordinary is on the cards and so it was as a 2025 Volkswagen Amarok V6 Style driven by a three-person crew covered Australia’s 10 gazetted deserts in, you guessed it, world record time.
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Wild Toyota LandCruiser set for SEMA debut!
By James Cleary · 31 Oct 2024
Not for the first time Toyota is using the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) exhibition in Las Vegas, Nevada to showcase its custom design and engineering prowess, this year unveiling a pair of highly-modified concept vehicles based on the 2025 LandCruiser (Prado) and 4Runner.
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Suzuki eVX EV SUV heading for production
By James Cleary · 30 Oct 2024
Suzuki and Toyota have confirmed further collaboration on the development of a battery-electric SUV to be led by Suzuki and manufactured by Suzuki Motor Gujarat in India from mid-2025.
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How safe is the used car you’re about to buy?
By James Cleary · 30 Oct 2024
As Australian Design Rules (ADRs) and independent assessments drive vehicle manufacturers to incorporate more safety-focused technology into their new models the flow-on benefits to the used car market is proving to be a life-saver according to a new study from the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC).
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Hi-po Cadillac Lyriq V coming to Oz
By James Cleary · 29 Oct 2024
Cadillac has confirmed its high-performance V badge will be applied to an electric vehicle for the first time with confirmation today that a Cadillac Lyriq V will be coming to market globally in 2026.
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Do you trust Elon on Tesla Roadster timing?
By James Cleary · 25 Oct 2024
Seven years after the automotive world was knocked on its heels by the unveiling of a breathtakingly sleek second-generation Tesla Roadster Concept, a production version is still nowhere to be seen.
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Is this the new Mazda 6 after all?
By James Cleary · 24 Oct 2024
Unveiled at this year’s Auto China motor show in Beijing, the Mazda EZ-6 is produced by Changan Mazda, as the name implies a joint-venture between Mazda and the Chinese state-owned automotive giant Changan.
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Mazda CX-30 2025 review: GT SP FWD
By James Cleary · 24 Oct 2024
Australia's small SUV market is like a crackling bonfire ready to burn contenders unable to stand the heat of fierce competition. And Mazda is in the thick of it with the CX-30, a popular package that's now coming up against some younger contenders. Is that a bead of perspiration on its forehead? We've tested the high-end GT SP FWD to see if the CX-30's Teflon coating remains intact.
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