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

Ford Ranger Raptor ready to attack Baja 1000
By James Cleary · 01 Nov 2022
Nothing like the tortuous Baha 1000 off-road race to test the mettle of any tough truck. And Ford has signed on with a stock version of its Ranger Raptor for the 2022 event happening later this month.
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Genesis dreaming of a convertible flagship!
By James Cleary · 29 Oct 2022
It doesn’t take the deductive skills of Hercule Poirot or Jane Marple to confirm Genesis wants to add a GT-style sports luxury car to its global line-up.
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Genesis Electrified GV70 2023 review
By James Cleary · 28 Oct 2022
If you're ready to go down the luxury SUV path less travelled the Genesis Electrified GV70 offers a challenger brand proposition, and an ultra-refined EV drive.
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LDV Mifa set to crash Kia's Carnival party!
By James Cleary · 27 Oct 2022
Already shaking up the local market with its sharply priced and well-equipped SUVs, dual-cab utes, and light-commercial van models, LDV is expanding its Australian line-up with the addition of the Mifa people mover.
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Ford Fiesta on the way out globally
By James Cleary · 27 Oct 2022
After seven generations and 46 years on sale globally it appears the writing is on the wall for the Ford Fiesta, one of the world’s most enduring and popular small cars.
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Genesis hunting the usual luxury car suspects
By James Cleary · 25 Oct 2022
Genesis in Australia has been focusing on its on-field performance rather than watching the scoreboard, yet the sales numbers are starting to tick up, the premium challenger set to crack four figures in 2022.
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First electric Jeep, the Avenger has arrived!
By James Cleary · 18 Oct 2022
Just seven months after unveiling a city-sized full-electric SUV concept, Jeep has launched the Avenger, its first-ever production EV.
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Ford's EV growth a worry for Tesla?
By James Cleary · 13 Oct 2022
Tesla has benefitted from a massive first-mover advantage in the global battle for electric car sales. But now some of the automotive giants it caught napping are starting to wake up and get the EV running shoes on.
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Citroen C3 2023 review
By James Cleary · 10 Oct 2022
It may be a tiny blip on the Australian new car sales radar, but Citroen has a dedicated following here. Could the C3 be just what you're looking for in a city-sized hatch that doesn't follow the path of least resistance?
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Citroen's no-go on commercial vans for Oz
By James Cleary · 30 Sep 2022
Although Citroen light-commercial vans like the Berlingo and Dispatch have had success in Australia, sister brand Peugeot is now the designated hitter in that part of the market, with full-electric LCVs on the way.
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