With over 700,000 new vehicles sold in 2022, it’s clear that Malaysians are still very interested in owning new vehicles and with the increased promotion of electric vehicles (EVs), there’s even more interest in knowing what’s available. Thus it’s the right timing for the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) to resume the Malaysia Autoshow which was last run in 2019. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was not possible to run what had become an annual event, so this year’s event will be the sixth edition.
The event will be held from May 4 – 7 and as before, it will be at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) outside Kuala Lumpur. The spacious 30,000 sq. metre site not only has large exhibition halls but also spacious grounds where test-drives and other activities can be run. Visitors will be able to drive the latest vehicles on a 3-km route, as well as experience many vehicle technologies.
2020 could be considered a watershed year for the big global motor shows. Though the declining interest from the auto industry was slowly showing during the past decade, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and suspension of public activities for many months led carmakers to rethink how they would spend money on promotional activities.
Launching new products online, less common before, was an approach adopted by many carmakers. They could reach bigger global audiences and at less cost than the traditional high-cost events at motorshows. The need to spend big money on a one-time extravaganza became less necessary, and this meant that organisers of the big motorshows needed to change.
While some continue with a generally traditional approach, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) which has been organising the Tokyo Motor Show for many decades has decided to have a broader scope for the event.
When it started in 1979, the Dakar Rally (or Paris-Dakar Rally, as it was known then) ran from Paris to Dakar on the western coast of Africa. 43 years later, the Dakar Rally is still running – but it is actually in Saudi Arabia. In fact, between 2009 and 2019, it was held in South America after being forced to relocate due to security issues along the original route in Africa.
Next year, we will also see another famous event – the Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) – not being held in its original city of Geneva in Switzerland but in Doha, Qatar. It will be the first time since the first Geneva Motor Show was held in 1905 that the event is relocating and will be held in November 2023.
The Geneva International Motor Show used to be the first major international motorshow each year, and often had concept cars and design studies as its highlights.
In 2020, the event had to be cancelled at the last moment due to the COVID-19 pandemic and urgent measures taken by the Swiss health authorities banned public gatherings of more than 1,000 people. Many other international events around the world were also cancelled or postponed but the cancellation of GIMS also seemed to make carmakers rethink their participation in such events and rethink marketing strategies.
While GIMS has traditionally been the first major international motorshow each year in March (though the North American International Auto Show which runs earlier has gained significance), often seeing the debut of new concepts and models, carmakers also began to see online promotion as becoming increasingly viable. With the pandemic creating uncertainties, commitments were slow to come for their future participation after 2020. As a result, the 2021 and 2022 events could also not run.
Brands from Malaysia have also participated in the Geneva motorshow. In 2010, Proton displayed its EMAS concept (left) while Bufori also had its Geneva model there.
”Our team has worked very hard to ensure that GIMS 2023 can take place in both Geneva and Doha,” said Sandro Mesquita, CEO of the Geneva International Motor Show. “In these uncertain times, many brands are not in a position to commit to participating in a show in Europe in the winter. After assessing all the elements, it has become clear to the foundation that the 2023 Salon cannot take place in Geneva as planned.”
”We have done everything possible to ensure that we could host GIMS 2023 in Geneva in February. The enhanced event format and project had been very well received. But in the end, the risks overweighed the opportunities,” explained Maurice Turrettini, President of the foundation Comite permanent du Salon international de l’automobile de Geneve.
”Due to the uncertainties in the global economy and geopolitics, as well as the risks related to the development of the pandemic, the organisers have decided to focus exclusively on the planning of the event in Doha in 2023,” he explained, adding that the original plan to hold the show in two parts, with the first in Geneva, would not be carried out and only the second part in Doha would be realised.
The Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre in Qatar will be the new home for the Geneva International Motor Show from 2023.
GIMS in Doha will take place in November 2023 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre as well as several other decentralised venues, and will offer many unique and spectacular driving experiences. “We are now fully focused on organising GIMS in Doha and look forward to confirming the dates and format of this ground-breaking event with our partners at Qatar Tourism shortly,” said Mesquita, adding that the event in Qatar is scheduled to take place every 2 years.
The Tokyo Motorshow has also shifted venues since its first event in 1954 (above), but it has always been around the Tokyo area. After the first few years in a park, it moved to a proper exhibition hall in Harumi. By the late 1980s, the event had grown to become a major international motorshow and its venue moved to the huge Makuhari Messe complex (below) near Tokyo Disneyland in 1989. It would remain there until 2009 when conditions changed and the number of exhibitors became less. As a result, the venue was moved closer to Tokyo at the smaller Tokyo Big Sight convention centre (bottom) where it has been since 2011.Makuhari MesseMakuhari MesseTokyo Big SightTokyo Big Sight
After a 2-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the well-established Art of Speed is making a comeback. Malaysia’s premier Kustom & Counter Culture event will celebrate 10 years of cool bikes, radical rides, art and culture, and it’s going to be big this year.
To be held at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park in Serdang (MAEPS), which is outside Kuala Lumpur, the Art of Speed 2022 (AOS 2022) will be on July 2, 2022 (10:30 am – 8:00 pm) and July 3, 2022 between 10:30 am and 8 pm on both days.
Art of Speed Malaysia (AOSM), which has the support of Tourism Malaysia, is well known beyond Malaysian borders too and many foreign guests from the international custom community and media will also be attending the event.
Notables among them are Emi Suganuma, ‘Sunny’ Yano & Michi ‘NATQQ’ from MOONEYES Japan; Scott Johnson from Mama Tried Motorcycle Show in the USA; Chopper and Kustom artist, Russell Murchie ‘MOW’ from Australia; Pinstripe artists Mil of Millart, Irvine Jasta and Fahmi Freeflow from Indonesia; and Aekalak Kitdusitpong, a diecast modeler from AKARA in Thailand.
AOS 2022 will have many different activities during the two days. The main highlights for AOS 2022 will include the Invitational Bike Build Off 2022, Hot Wheels Legends Tour, Hail Vintage (a vintage work wear exhibition), Off The Grid (outdoor camping and lifestyle), and the Sound Circus Festival (for ages 18 years old and above only).
Qhalis Najmi from NoEqual.co will be this year’s host for the Kustom & Koffee Talk. He will be joined by overseas panelists Scott Johnson from Mama Tried Motorcycle Show and Warren Heir Jr. from Flat Out Friday. The forum will discuss the latest trends in bike and car industries.
Additional AOS 2022 activities include Roda Rumble (a Two Wheels Gathering & Outdoor Festival), La Cultura (Malaysia’s first Chicano Culture Appreciation Gathering), Vintage Flea Market, Alfa Romeo Club Malaysia Gathering, Mini Crawlers RC demo and display, as well as bike test rides of well known brands.
Naturally, during the event, visitors will get thirsty and hungry, and there will be Food Park vendors and trucks on-site. They are located in a sheltered area so no worries if it rains during the weekend.
At the conclusion, there will be a lucky draw with two lucky winners. One will go home with a Classic Vespa EV (fully restored by Kluk Klek Soul and EV conversion by Elders Elettrico), and the other will win another Hausboom customized EV Classic Vespa.
AOS 2022 will reintroduce the Speed Lane ticket priced at RM55 valid for both days. With this ticket, visitors can enter one hour before the official opening time. The weekend pass is available at the door and online for RM35, with children below 12 years old entering for free. OKU (disabled) Pass Holders will also enjoy free entry.
Incidentally, Sound Circus Festival outdoor only tickets are already sold out, but the Sound Circus Festival + Weekend Pass combo is still available online only. For purchasing online visit aos2022.qtic.my.
For this year’s Auto Shanghai motorshow, Lamborghini had three models on display, with the Essenza SCV12 hypercar making it global debut. The Essenza was accompanied by the road-homologated track car Huracan STO which makes its China debut along with the Huracan Fluo Capsule, the latest collection of the vibrant colours for V10 super sports cars (showcased in Asia Pacific for the first time on a Huracán EVO).
Stephan Winkelmann, who returned to the helm of the Italian sportscar company Lamborghini after being away for 5 years, was on hand to speak proudly of the past’s year’s achievement. “Automobili Lamborghini closed 2020 with its highest-ever profitability and its second highest-ever in terms of turnover and sales despite a factory closure of about two months due to COVID-19. This growing momentum has continued into 2021: the year opened with a very positive outlook, with deliveries in the first 3 months reaching the highest level on record. Orders placed thus far already cover 9 months of production,” he said.
“At this pivotal point in the company’s history, we are working very hard and preparing Lamborghini for a new era. The new development plans to be announced soon will outline how Lamborghini is going to become an even stronger brand, both here in China and around the world,” he said, adding that volumes in the Chinese market are expected to rise to second place in terms of sales, remaining one of the most significant markets for Lamborghini globally.
The Essenza SCV12
Following its virtual launch in 2020, the display at in Shanghai this week is the first public one of the Essenza SCV12. This track-only hypercar is finished in the exclusive Verde Selvans, Grigio Linx, Nero Aldebaran Gloss and Arancio California launch livery.
The limited-edition car – only 40 units will be available – was inspired by the Squadra Corse’s years of experience in competition. The innovative solutions found in this unique car create the new ultimate experience for the driver, with a futuristic design that fully inherits brand’s iconic elements, while balancing lightweight construction, functionality and design aesthetics.
The Essenza SCV12 is a direct descendant of cars such as the Miura Jota and Diablo GTR, with the most powerful V12 naturally-aspirated engine ever developed by Lamborghini. The 830 bhp engine receives a significant power boost from the RAM effect at high speeds. This high output is transferred to the wheels by a new X-trac sequential 6-speed gearbox designed as a structural element mounted within the chassis, combined with a rear-wheel drive system.
The large rear wing, side fins and front splitter are elements inspired by the Huracan Super Trofeo EVO and GT3 EVO. They promise greater efficiency and create higher downforce levels than a GT3 car, with up to 1,200 kgs on the rear end at 250 km/h.
As the first GT car developed to stringent FIA prototype safety standards, the Essenza SCV12 features an exceptional power-to-weight ratio of 1.66 bhp/kg. This is made possible by its new-generation carbonfibre monocoque chassis without an internal rollcage.
Born for life on the track and to race, there is the promise of the purest track experience that Lamborghini can offer. Every Essenza SCV12 customer will become a member of an exclusive club with access to special programs to drive their hypercar on the most prestigious circuits in the world. In addition to premium track facilities, the program also gives access to exclusive training programmes similar to those followed by the official racers.
China debut for Huracan STO
The Huracan STO is a street-homologated super sportscar with the soul and characteristics of a real racing car. It is considered to be the purest incarnation of Lamborghini Squadra Corse’s motorsports prowess and heritage, possessing the technologies derived from the Huracan Super Trofeo EVO and GT3 EVO racing cars. These cars have scored many victories, including the 24 Hours of Daytona on three occasions and the 12 Hours of Sebring twice.
With a powerful V10 naturally-aspirated engine delivering 640 bhp/565 Nm, the rear-wheel Huracan STO can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.0 seconds, from 0 to 200 km/h in 9.0 seconds, and reach a top speed of 310 km/h, it is claimed.
To further reduce weight, over 75% of the exterior panels are of carbonfibre. Extensive applications of lightweight technology give the Huracan STO a weight-to-power ratio of 2.09 kgs/bhp with a dry weight of only 1,339 kgs.
Three new driving modes are available to the driver – STO, Trofeo and Pioggia. The default STO mode is for road driving and fun on curvy roads while the Trofeo and Pioggia (rain) modes optimise all systems for dry and wet surfaces, respectively.
The new Brembo CCM-R braking units use materials and expertise derived from F1 applications, ensuring superior heat resistance, performance and consistency.
Lamborghini Huracan EVO Fluo Capsule
In the exclusive Ad Personam room at the Lamborghini stand, visitors can view the Huracan EVO Fluo Capsule. Launched in November 2020, this is its first appearance in the Asia Pacific region, bringing to the super sportscar a daring yet elegant collection of bright and bold colours in a matte paint exterior with complementary interior colour and trim options.
The display unit is being presented in matte Verde Shock (green) colour with another four exterior and interior configurations – Arancio Livrea (orange), Celeste Fedra (blue), Arancio Dac (orange) and Giallo Clarus (yellow), combined with matte black details and coloured accent lines. The Capsule offers an additional layer of variety and personalization to the already near-infinite possibilities that the Ad Personam program offers.
With the rising number of COVID-19 cases and now the imposition of CMCO in the Klang Valley for 2 weeks, companies and event organisers are reviewing their activities in the next few months. One of them is Art of Speed Malaysia (AOS) which had an event planned for November 12, 2020 at the 1 Utama Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
With the CMCO in operation, the organisers have decided to postpone the 9th Annual Art of Speed Malaysia event to run from December 30 until January 3, 2021. The venue will remain at the 1Utama Shopping Centre as the AOS people are satisfied that ‘the shopping centre’s proactive actions and readiness to host the event have been exemplary’.
The date for the Hot Wheels Legends Tour Malaysia Virtual Finals will remain unchanged on November 12, 2020 as it is essentially an online event. The jury will consist of judges from Malaysia and the USA and judging will be done LIVE online, with the winner being announced on the same day.
“Throughout this pandemic, we have been working behind the scenes with various parties to ensure our decisions are for the best interest of all involved especially with regards to health and safety. We can only pray that this new wave will soon subside, and we can continue with our plans to support the various communities and industries that contribute so much to the socio economic fabric of Malaysia,” the organisers said.
One of the things that was playing at the back of our minds in regards to KLIMS 2018, was how it was going to be insofar as crowd attendance was concerned. And with that in mind, we headed back to MITEC, the new venue of the KL International Motorshow, on Sunday 25th, technically the first weekend of the show. This is what it looked like! Wait for the surprise at the end…
Another big surprise was the appearance of the Proton R3 Racing Team (below), who’d just won the S1K, or Sepang 1000km Race the day before, and we managed to catch their full interview and meet-the-fans session at the Proton pavilion…
Of course as expected the crowd at the abovementioned Proton pavilion was massive, packed with those who came to see the new X70 SUV, which will be officially launched on 12th December (probably at KL Convention Centre) during which Proton will FINALLY reveal its price…
The 2-wheel section of KLIMS was participated by Kawasaki Malaysia, Benelli and Honda, who showcased the awesome new GoldWing Tourer, remarkable…
It was also heartening to see that Peugeot was getting quite a lot of visitors, many were enthralled by the new Peugeot 308 GTi…
Unfortunately, as previously mentioned, there is no official Supercar representation at KLIMS 2018, however, thanks to the ‘peripheral’ pavilions, there was still some eye-candy to ogle… we’re referring to the cars of course…
We’ll be visiting the show again before it ends on 2nd December 2018, so stay tuned for our wrap-up coverage!
Now here’s something that I personally feel every Motorshow should have, a section for classic cars! I don’t think I’m the only classic car fan to visit KLIMS (or any motorshow for that matter) so let’s keep this going!
Nice one Rukshan and friends @ MyClassic Cars(<– link to their FB page), good show!
To the organisers of KLIMS, please provide better lighting next time. Like I’ve always said, ‘if you’re gonna do it, do it well’. – Chris Wee.
(NB: Caveat – That fantastic silver Porsche 911 in the photo gallery above was part of the Tom’s Stickers Motorsports (<– link) pavilion on Level 2 of KLIMS, next to the MyClassic Cars display)
Following our previous report on KLIMS or the Kuala Lumpur International Motorshow, we attended the Press Day on 22nd November 2018, and right-off the bat, it’s safe to say that the new venue for KLIMS at the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC) outside downtown KL is definitely a better location, not just in terms of accessibility, but also the floor space and allocated display area. But before we get into that, here’s the video of the official launch ceremony for KLIMS 2018!
Everything also seems a lot better organised this time around, especially in terms of handling the media and providing a proper set-up for us to work. There was free flow of food and drinks in the designated press room, although the room itself was a bit small, considering the number of media personnel who showed up to cover the launch and press day of KLIMS 2018. There was also no designated rest area; let’s not forget that all-in, it was at least a 10-hour day on our feet for many of us. Something to look into for the next one. Here’s our first walkabout video, which we took even before the official launch ceremony. Kudos to all the car brands who participated!
Unfortunately, while the venue itself was a lot better, manufacturer participation was definitely wanting, for apart from Peugeot, Citroen and DS Automobiles, there wasn’t a single other European carmaker in attendance. No Audi, BMW, Volvo or Mercedes-Benz. The latter was represented only thanks to Petronas who grafted what looked like an entire petrol station into KLIMS 2018, replete with a Kedai Mesra shop, while the only Supercars (apart from the Toyota FT-1 in the second video below of course) were what the peripheral pavilions brought in.
That being said, those who did participate put in a tremendous amount of effort to ensure their pavilions looked top notch! Seriously, many of them looked like they belonged in overseas motorshows like BIMS, GIIAS & TMS. Still, at least we were finally able to bring you this ‘live’ coverage of the new Proton X70 SUV, with no restrictions on photos this time. However, while fully expecting to finally learn the official price of the X70 at KLIMS, we were told that the price will be officially announced only on 12th December at the launch extravaganza…
Undoubtedly though, the star of KLIMS 2018 is the incredible Toyota FT-1, which is also known among fan-boys as the new Supra. It definitely deserved it’s own short video….
And in no particular order, here are more videos from KLIMS 2018! (KLIMS 2018 runs from today 23rd Nov to 2nd Dec 2018)
Video: Ford Malaysia put on a superb show for their new Mustang and much-anticipated Ranger Raptor, whose price was announced at RM199,888!
Video: The upstairs hall at KLIMS was dominated by a huge Petronas pavilion, with its own Kedai Mesra, as well as the Motorcycles section…
Video: Perodua unveils the X-Concept and teases a new SUV for 2019…
I’ve never liked KLIMS. No, really, to me it was without a doubt the worst motorshow of the region. Badly organised, always in a shambles and no-one (especially the media) knew what was going on and when. But the biggest, most obvious error in judgment was its physical location. The PWTC or Putra World Trade Centre is a great building, but holding a massive motorshow within its confines was never going to be a good idea. This was akin to holding the World Cup in a futsal stadium. Here’s a good example below from KLIMS 2013: where in the world have you ever seen an International Motorshow with a ceiling that low?
The floor area was just too small, and crowd underestimation always meant wall-to-wall visitors with little or no breathing space, much less photographic opportunity. Covering this show from a media standpoint was borderline impossible. And nowhere else in the world did one have to cross a river to get from one show hall to the next… and let’s not even talk about parking smack-dab in the middle of the city.
That being said, after a 5-year hiatus, on paper at least KLIMS 2018 (<– link) is looking better already. For starters it’s going to be held at MITEC, or the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre in KL (Full address: 8, Jalan Dutamas 2, Kompleks Kerajaan, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur. Waze: MITEC). Boasting 50,000 square feet of floor space and more than 100 participating companies, KLIMS will be on-going from 23rd November to 2nd December 2018.
“KLIMS is Malaysia’s most established and significant automotive event. The motor show is trailblazing towards its 9th presentation after a five-year hiatus, on the theme of “Beyond Mobility” – Malaysia Automotive Association, MAA.
A few carmakers are using KLIMS 2018 as a platform for some important announcements, including our very own Proton, who are using the show to reveal the official price of its much-hyped new X70 SUV.
Ford Malaysia is bringing in the new Mustang, and will also reveal the price of the new Ranger Raptor 4×4.
UMW Toyota will unveil the new Vios & Camry, the latter being revealed (<– link) late last month in Thailand.
Boon Siew Honda will launch their electric PCX scooter, new Goldwing & Fireblade at KLIMS 2018, while Kawasaki Malaysia has something up its sleeve too.
We have high-hopes for KLIMS 2018, let’s see if this time around they get it right. After 5-years and countless visits to other regional motorshows like BIMSand Gaikindo, (<– links) let’s hope the organisers have learned a thing or two (and more) about how to properly run a motorshow. For more info log on to the KLIMS 2018 Facebook (<– link) page, because the KLIMS website doesn’t seem to be responding at time of publishing…
Stay tuned as Piston.my will be there on the ground to cover KLIMS 2018!
