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

Is now your last chance to buy an ICE Macan?
By James Cleary · 04 Oct 2023
Confirmed back in early 2019, Porsche's all-electric next-generation Macan is edging closer to a predicted showroom arrival in early 2024.
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Porsche 911 2024 review: GT3 RS
By James Cleary · 02 Oct 2023
How do you improve an iconic sports car like the track-focused Porsche 911 GT3 RS? Make its aero package wilder, make its engine more epic and its dynamics closer to that of a dedicated racing car. The latest, 992 series iteration of this iconic atmo hero has arrived in Australia and we've driven it one one of the country's most challenging race circuits. Stand by for action!
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Ferrari patents its EV future
By James Cleary · 29 Sep 2023
For close to 75 years as a road car manufacturer, Ferrari’s brand has been built on racing success and its mighty engines. Variously V6, V8 and most significantly, glorious 12-cylinder engines, sometimes horizontally-opposed but most famously, arranged in a vee.
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Has BYD conquered supply chain delays?
By James Cleary · 24 Sep 2023
Vehicle supply has arguably been the Australian new-car market’s hottest talking point in 2023, and one recent newcomer to local showrooms, EV specialist BYD, has seemingly conquered the issue thanks to strategic investments in dedicated production capacity established in the brand’s Chinese factories.
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Maserati Grecale 2024 review: Trofeo
By James Cleary · 20 Sep 2023
Maserati has form in dialling a family-focused SUV up to 11 with the twin-turbo V8 Levante Trofeo, and now its smaller sibling, the Grecale, has been given the full premium go-fast treatment. Prepare to meet the twin-turbo V6 Grecale Trofeo!
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2024 BYD Seal puts Tesla Model 3 on notice
By James Cleary · 14 Sep 2023
The emerging wave of Chinese carmakers challenging established players in the Australian new-vehicle market continues to roll on with EV specialist BYD today previewing its new Seal sedan.
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Does a new battery in an old EV make sense?
By James Cleary · 03 Sep 2023
Do the dollars add up on an EV battery swap?
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Upgraded Tesla Model 3 drops!
By James Cleary · 01 Sep 2023
Details on the much-anticipated Tesla Model 3 upgrade have finally dropped with the pure EV sedan picking up revised stability and traction controls, exterior and interior cosmetic tweaks, as well as extra equipment and tech for occupants.
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Tesla in more hot water over Autopilot
By James Cleary · 30 Aug 2023
The US Department of Transportation’s ongoing evaluation of Tesla’s Level 2 ‘Autopilot’ self-driving function has taken another turn with the department’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) publishing a letter it recently.
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Charging your EV is about to get easier!
By James Cleary · 29 Aug 2023
Mercedes-Benz has confirmed initial locations and timing for installation of the first stations in the global roll-out of its 'High-Power Charging Network'.
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