KLIMS is back. The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) has reaffirmed that KLIMS is returning, adding that it will now have a new name in addition to specific dates and locations.
The association announced at its full-year 2023 review that the event, now called the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show, will be held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in KL from December 5 to 11, 2024.
The new name comes from a trend we are seeing worldwide, such as the Japan Mobility Show, where the word “Motor” is being replaced by “Mobility” to help encapsulate a wider definition of cars and transportation including airborne flying cars and air taxis. One other trend that cannot be ignored is the fact that Toyota, the biggest carmaker on the planet, only recently renamed itself from a “car company” to a “mobility company.”
The last KLIMS was staged at MITEC in 2018. Signature models that debuted at that show, were the Toyota FT-1 Concept, which subsequently morphed into the A90 Toyota Supra, as well as the Perodua Myvi GT Concept.
According to MAA president Mohd Shamsor Mohd Zain, despite the new name, the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show will continue to be a brand-driven show rather than a sales event, thus the same procedures should be anticipated.
The MAA first mentioned the prospect of KLIMS returning at the 2022 review at the beginning of last year, when then-president Datuk Aishah Ahmad, who passed away, stated that the event would return. It has been six years since the last time it was staged in 2018.
Given the 6-year hiatus from the last show, we can expect to see a radical departure from the type of models and concepts on display. In addition to EVs like Tesla, which has blossomed over the last 5 years, we will see a huge influx of Chinese EVs including BYD and Chery.
OUR THOUGHTS
We are not surprised to see the show’s name lose the term “Motor” in preference to “Mobility” to become KL International Mobility Show, given that carmakers must be seen to be focusing on more user-friendly forms of transport that include personal transport and electric and hydrogen-powered public transport as well as AI.