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

Topless luxury for Toyota Century & Crown
By James Cleary · 07 Feb 2024
Toyota has produced bespoke roofless versions of its premium domestic market SUVs, the full-size Century and smaller Crown with Japan's 2024 sumo champion the designated rider.
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BMW i5 Touring EV for Australia this year!
By James Cleary · 07 Feb 2024
BMW Australia has confirmed its new i5 M60 Touring xDrive is set for local launch in the third quarter of this year, offering a rare combination of a traditional five-seat wagon format and pure-electric power.
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Audi lights the wick on limited RS6 Avant GT!
By James Cleary · 06 Feb 2024
Arguably the world’s wildest ‘sleeper’ production car, the Audi RS6 Avant has shaken off any hint of slumber with a distinctive limited-edition GT version.
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2024 Tesla Model Y Performance price drop!
By James Cleary · 06 Feb 2024
In line with Tesla’s global ‘floating price strategy’, cost-of-entry for the Performance version of the brand’s Model Y mid-size SUV has been reduced.
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Hyundai's e-shift is a hot EV game changer
By James Cleary · 03 Feb 2024
We’d been invited to a preview drive of Hyundai’s powerhouse Ioniq 5 N, with the aim of gaining a background understanding of the global engineering program that’s developed the most appropriate suspension tune for the car in various markets, including ours.
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The 100 best-selling new cars in Oz for 2023
By James Cleary · 27 Jan 2024
As with most things, the only constant in the Australian new car market is change. The first part of 2023 was a story of constricted supply thanks to everything from COVID-19 and a shortage of semi-conductors to cars on grass infested with seeds, snails and bugs.
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Tuning the Ioniq 5 N suspension for Australia
By James Cleary · 26 Jan 2024
Hyundai Australia’s Product Development Manager, Tim Rodgers, is in the passenger seat, laptop open, tweaking the suspension set-up of the Ioniq 5 N we’re punting through a series of B-road corners, on the fly.
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A Holden treasure trove going up for auction!
By James Cleary · 25 Jan 2024
After 30 years of operation in the historic Victorian Murray River town of Echuca, the contents of the National Holden Motor Museum is set to be auctioned off on Saturday, May 18 this year.
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Think 2024 car sales will be big? Maybe not.
By James Cleary · 21 Jan 2024
In smashing through the 1.2 million unit sales barrier the Australian new vehicle market set a volume record in 2023. And with stock availability for the majority of brands coming back to near pre-COVID levels you might think 2024 will be on track for an even bigger and better result.
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2024 Peugeot 408 GT Fastback order books open
By James Cleary · 15 Jan 2024
Peugeot Australia has opened the order books for its 408 GT Fastback Plug-in Hybrid with pricing and local specification confirmed for the swoopy new wagon that’s scheduled to arrive in local showrooms in the third quarter of this year.
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