Tokyo Auto Salon Kuala Lumpur 2025 Draws 100,000 Visitors With Star Tuners And Iconic Builds
The Tokyo Auto Salon Kuala Lumpur 2025 wrapped up on a high note, welcoming some 100,000 visitors over 3 days (8 – 10 August) at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC).
Now in its 3rd year as the only Tokyo Auto Salon event held outside of Japan, the show brought together legendary Japanese tuners, world-famous modified cars, and local customisation talent under one roof. Organised by Element X Strategies in collaboration with San Ei Corporation and the Tokyo Auto Salon Association, the event aimed to create a uniquely Malaysian automotive showcase while preserving the core spirit of the original Tokyo Auto Salon.
Element X Strategies CEO Jason Yap said the turnout and enthusiasm exceeded expectations. “The success of any show is not purely based on numbers, but even more importantly is the impression you leave on visitors and whether they are happy and satisfied,” he said. The show aims to be bigger, better and more exciting every year.
Japanese Legends And Rare Machines Take Centrestage
Fans had the chance to meet some of Japan’s most celebrated names in the tuning world, including Father of the modern GT-R and Nissan Z Hiroshi Tamura, Liberty Walk founder Wataru Kato, Top Secret’s Smokey Nagata, J’S Racing president Hisaaki Murakami, RE Amemiya’s Ken Amemiya, racing legend Max Orido, legendary drifter Takahiro Ueno, and KUHL Racing’s Takahiro Kataoka.
Several headline cars made rare appearances outside Japan, such as Liberty Walk’s Ferrari F40, Top Secret Japan’s one-of-a-kind 1,072 hp VR32 Stealth Nissan GT-R, RE Amemiya’s RX-7s, Veilside’s RX-7, ALESS’s Toyota Century, and a Lexus LFA from Wing Hin Motorsports—one of only 500 built globally.
Visitors also saw machines from Aylezo, including a Ginetta GT3 race car, LMP2 Le Mans prototype, Ferrari 360 Challenge, Caterham SP300R, V8-powered drift cars, and a restomod Porsche 944 Turbo.
New Features And Malaysian Showcases
This year introduced the Mini TAS in collaboration with The Model Car Show Malaysia, featuring limited-edition die-cast launches such as the Matte Frost Yellow Toyota Supra MK4 Tokyo Auto Salon Kuala Lumpur edition and Tomica’s exclusive 1/64 models. Another highlight was the Malaysia’s Finest Tuners section, giving local builders a platform to present their craftsmanship and innovations.
Crowds also thronged merchandise booths from both Japanese and Malaysian exhibitors, while the auto styling competition—judged by Japanese tuners—added a competitive edge. Car club gatherings, rare car displays, themed zones like Sakura Street & Midnight Tokyo, and interactive attractions such as a RaceRoom simulator endurance race rounded out the experience.
Building For The Future
Yap emphasised that the goal was not to replicate Tokyo Auto Salon Japan but to grow the Kuala Lumpur edition into a regional hub for both enthusiasts and the industry. “I would also like to thank and record my highest appreciation to all the exhibitors and participants of Tokyo Auto Salon Kuala Lumpur. We believe in the same vision and I sincerely hope that together with the participation of more local companies in Malaysia and the region, Tokyo Auto Salon Kuala Lumpur can also evolve to become not only a B to C (business to consumer) platform, but also B to B (business to business) platform.”
The organisers are already planning for an even more spectacular 2026 edition.
More details can be found at www.tokyoautosalonkl.com or via the event’s social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. 
