Over three fantastic days from June 9th to 11th, the inaugural Tokyo Auto Salon KL (Kuala Lumpur), held at the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC), saw a whopping 91,000 passionate car enthusiasts descend upon it. My hubs and I were two of the contributing numbers in that 90-thousand over visitors.
When I found out that the event would house a plethora of exhibitors, an electrifying auto styling competition, and a jaw-dropping collection of imported Japanese automotive gems, courtesy of top-tier tuners like Top Secret, Spoon, HKS, Greddy, and more in a 130,000 square feet location, I laced my shoes up and made sure I have ample time to check out each and every one of the amazing cars that would be on display.
You see, in my younger years, I was crazy for fast cars. And for many years, I read Top Gear like it was my own personal bible. The Honda S2000 was my dream car of my 20s. But in my 30s, I’d settle for an Audi R8 instead. (Oops! Berangan)
Heading Towards the Fast and Furious Cars
Among all the cars on display, I must say I was wide-eyed and salivating for some of the more “sexy” cars. So although I have mellowed in the choice of life partner, I am still very attracted to the aesthetics of machines. LOL!
Anyway, this gathering wasn’t just about showing off shiny cars; it was a dynamic platform and a spark for new business endeavours too – including exclusive car sales, innovative collaborations, and showcasing of unique vehicles.
One of the remarkable moments at the event was the discreet sale of Top Secret’s R35 GTR, masterfully crafted by the legendary tuner, Smoky Nagata, to an undisclosed Malaysian enthusiast. Additionally, there was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) and Fujii Engineering Co. Ltd, embarking on an exciting collaboration in electric vehicle research and commercialization.
Nissan Malaysia also seized the opportunity to sell their special Tokyo Auto Salon Edition Almera. Several other privately owned JDM treasures found new homes amidst the fervent crowd as well.
Attractive Displays and Innovations at Tokyo Auto Salon KL
In its 40-year history, Tokyo Auto Salon has evolved into a premier international show, attracting both devoted car enthusiasts and industry insiders. It serves as an esteemed stage for automakers and aftermarket accessories and performance parts companies to unveil their latest innovations. Annually, the show boasts an impressive roster: 1,000 vehicles, 500 exhibitors, 4,000 booths, and a whopping 300,000 visitors from Japan and across the globe.
One notable display would definitely go to Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Panglima of Johor’s fully restored Skyline GT-R (R34) Nismo J-Tune!
Apart from the incredible metal machines on display that attracted many visitors to the Tokyo Auto Salon KL 2023, I know that the stunning Japanese race queens and captivating cosplayer performances by Rina-Hime and Hayate Konno were some of the more much-awaited appearances for some.
The interesting part about the Predator cosplayer in the photo above is that the owner of the Triton “Predator” is Hisham Nong, a fried chicken vendor and Predator cosplayer from Penang. This is the type of lifestyle that some car lovers would go for their beloved four-wheel machine.
I found out that the initial plan was for the event to be hosted once in two years but, with such explosively overwhelming support for the Tokyo Auto Salon KL 2023, maybe there would be another in the near future. 2024 Auto Salon show maybe?
Did any of you visit MITEC last weekend? Which was your favourite car?