IT'S BACK!

We’ve had to wait five years for it, but here finally comes another KL International Motor Show. Can’t compete with the best out there, but it’s ours, and we can be proud of it.

Words by Kon | Photography by Kevin, HP & Shree

A few brands took the trouble to ship in special exhibits to enhance the show glitter. Toyota gave us a thinly-disguised preview of the next-gen Supra in the form of the FT-1 Concept, shown alongside the TS050 Le Mans-winning racer. This is in addition to launching of new versions of the Camry and Vios for the Malaysian market.

Biggest attraction of the show, perhaps, is the Proton X70, making its first public appearance in Executive and Premium trim levels. The much-anticipated first SUV from the national car maker is expected to draw huge crowds as interest in the car intensifies ahead of its announced 12 December launch.

Our line of work has afforded us the privilege of travelling to the biggest motor shows around the globe. KLIMS is not anywhere at that level, but there remain a sense of pride walking through the halls of a motor show we can call our own; and although not every car maker turned up, those who did put up fine efforts to justifiably earn your hard-earned RM20 entry price.

Not to be outdone, fellow local boys Perodua took equal amount of attention with the Myvi GT, a concept demonstrating the popular hatchback’s modification potential. The Rawang-based car maker also gave a sneak preview of its upcoming SUV model, shrouded behind cloth with strategically located peep holes for visitors to peek into.

Lexus, meanwhile, brought in the LS+ Concept and introduced the all-new ES whilst also giving us a glimpse of the UX, a GLA rival that looks set for launch in our market sometime next year. Honda, too, took the trouble to build special shopping trolleys to demonstrate the workings of Honda Sensing technology whilst also showing us the Clarity Fuel Cell Vehicle.

After a five-year hiatus, the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show is back for its ninth iteration, running for ten days from 23 November to 2 December 2018, being held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), a departure from the usual venue of PWTC.

Sporting the theme ‘Beyond Mobility’, KLIMS 2018 enjoys the participation of 12 automotive brands, with Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Peugeot, Citroen, Kia, Mitsubishi Motors, Proton, Perodua, Ford, Hyundai, and Nissan being brands represented at the event.

It is nowhere near the biggest global auto shows like Geneva or Shanghai in recognition or prestige. It is, perhaps, not even at the level of Bangkok or Jakarta in terms brand participation or crowd volume, but the brands that did turn up put up a respectable show for visitors.