Japanese cars have been exported to Malaysia since the 1950s, becoming dominant until the national carmakers started. Then came Japanese motorsports (besides Japanese food and supermarkets) and now, we also have a Japanese motorshow coming to Malaysia for the first time this year.
It’s not the Tokyo Motor Show but the Tokyo Auto Salon (TAS) which, though younger by 29 years, is today well established and as popular as the Tokyo Motor Show. However, the TAS is a different type of motorshow and has focussed on performance and aftermarket instead of new cars and concept car.
Nevertheless, in recent years, the event has also seen participation from major carmakers who have promoted their performance products to more receptive visitors. The TAS has thus grown in significance in the same way that the SEMA show in America.
The TAS was actually supposed to be held in 2014, after the first time the event was held outside Japan in Singapore in 2013. However, for various reasons, it never happened and it is only this year that it will be held for the first time in Malaysia from June 9 – 11 at the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur.
Officially known as Tokyo Auto Salon Kuala Lumpur (TASKL), the event will be virtually identical in concept to the one in Japan that is held in January each year. The only difference will be that the floor area will be smaller at 130,000 sq. feet whereas the one in Japan is held at the huge Makuhari Messe complex near Tokyo Disneyland.
TASKL is jointly organized by MUSE Group Asia and Element X Strategies, together with San Ei Corporation as the owner of the TAS intellectual property.
“Since MUSE Group Asia organized the very first every Tokyo Auto Salon outside Japan in Singapore in 2013, our intent has always been to bring this prestigious event to Malaysia. And after 3 years of planning, we are glad to announce the Tokyo Auto Salon Kuala Lumpur for 2023 is now just months away,” said MUSE Group Asia CEO, Riduwan Matni, at the event’s launching today.
TASKL offers OPPORTUNITIES for big and small automotive players in Malaysia and ASEAN to showcase their latest products. According to Encik Riduwan, more than 50% of the floor space has already been taken and ticket sales (RM60 and RM28 per day for adults and children, respectively) have already started.
Over the 40 years of the TAS in Japan, it has grown into one of the top-tiered international automotive shows for both enthusiasts and exhibitors. Initially known as the Tokyo Exciting Car Show, it began as a celebration of innovative and creative display of Japanese-made cars. Today, it has evolved to include all makes and types of vehicles.
The event has also become accepted as a prestigious platform by vehicle manufacturers as well as aftermarket accessories and performance parts companies. Some of these companies use the venue to introduce their latest products.
On average 1,000 vehicles, more than 500 exhibitors, 4,000 booths and over 300,000 Japanese and international visitors visit the show annually. For TASKL, the organisers expect to draw 150,000 visitors from Malaysia and also the ASEAN region.
“The love for JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) cars has grown exponentially worldwide and the Tokyo Auto Salon has been at the epicentre of this phenomenon. Tokyo Auto Salon Kuala Lumpur is envisioned to become a strategic hub for both enthusiasts and our members in ASEAN,” said Junichi Fukui, the Director-General of the Tokyo Auto Salon Federation, who was present at the launch.
“Bringing the Tokyo Auto Salon outside Japan is with the intention of garnering even greater exposure for its members and to tap into new and emerging markets. The Kuala Lumpur show will bring a more international flair with the display of locally-modified vehicles and exhibits featuring Malaysian and ASEAN engineered accessories and performance parts as well as services,” he added.
In addition to local and international exhibitors, TASKL will also feature a Race Queens from Japan. There will also be a number of performances and workshops, while ‘early bird’ ticket buyers will be in the running for a lucky draw to win 2 pairs of an all-expense paid trip to the Tokyo Auto Salon in Japan in 2024.
Tickets will be available at 30% off which is RM40 and RM18 per day for adults and children, respectively. They can be purchased online until the day of show from www.tokyoautosalonkl.com.
