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

Suzuki Cappuccino ready for a comeback!
By James Cleary · 17 Jun 2024
Suzuki is ready to put the froth on a new hot Cappuccino!
Read the article
VW T-Cross picks up more fruit for more money
By James Cleary · 14 Jun 2024
Volkswagen has updated its city-sized T-Cross SUV with upgraded tech and safety, a new R-Line flagship model and a revised pricing structure including a national drive-away offer on the entry-level model.
Read the article
BMW 2 Series upgraded with even wilder M2!
By James Cleary · 13 Jun 2024
BMW has upgraded its compact 2 Series range in a model year refresh bringing tech improvements and cosmetic changes across the line-up, including new paint colours, redesigned alloy wheels, steering wheels and interior trims.
Read the article
Nissan on NVES: “It caught us by surprise”
By James Cleary · 31 May 2024
The Federal Government’s commitment to introduce a ‘New Vehicle Efficiency Standard’ (NVES) from the beginning of 2025 has generated a lot of heat in the Australian new-car business.
Read the article
At last! Mazda's RX-7 successor patented
By James Cleary · 30 May 2024
One of the headline acts at last year’s Japan Mobility Show, the design of Mazda’s head-turning Iconic SP concept sports car has been registered with the Japan Patent Office, complete with retractable ‘pop-up’ headlights and twin-rotor rotary EV power.
Read the article
Don't count out internal combustion just yet!
By James Cleary · 29 May 2024
It seems reports of the internal-combustion engine’s (ICE) death have been greatly exaggerated with confirmation overnight that Toyota, Mazda and Subaru have jointly committed to development of new-generation ICE technology “tailored to electrification and the pursuit of carbon neutrality”.
Read the article
New Navara a hybrid with leaf-spring rear end
By James Cleary · 28 May 2024
After a decade in market, sales of Nissan’s current, fourth-generation (D23) Navara ute have fallen to a fraction of those recorded by category leaders like the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max.
Read the article
Has Nissan cracked the solid state code?
By James Cleary · 24 May 2024
Nissan has committed to the launch of a production electric vehicle powered by a solid state drive battery in 2028.
Read the article
Nissan's plan for global EV domination!
By James Cleary · 24 May 2024
Although it was opened by then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher way back in 1986, Nissan’s Sunderland plant in England’s north-east is the flexible, environmentally-focused manufacturing model to help accommodate the company’s global shift towards electrified and pure-EV production.
Read the article
Newcomer Zeekr sniffing around Volvo dealers
By James Cleary · 15 May 2024
Chinese giant Geely has many strings to its automotive bow with domestic market brands Galaxy, Geometry, Lynk & Co, Radar and Zeekr sitting under its corporate control.
Read the article