Automechanika Kuala Lumpur (AMKL) 2026, held from May 14-16 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), positions Malaysia as a premier ASEAN mobility hub, highlighting rapid shifts in electric vehicles (EVs), AI and supply chain regionalization.
The exhibition kicked off on May 11, 2026, with the launch officiated by Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah.
The 15th edition featured over 317 exhibitors from 16 countries and regions across six halls, focusing on integrating OEMs and the aftermarket to drive regional sustainable growth.
The show serves as a strategic platform shaping Southeast Asia’s mobility future rather than just a trade fair, highlighting a critical focus on electrification, digitalization and aftermarket growth.
The exhibition’s theme “creating business synergies where automotive mobility solutions meet OEMs and the aftermarket” reflects a strategic response to the rapid evolution of the automotive landscape, particularly in the ASEAN region.
The Minister’s presence highlights the government’s active role in accelerating the country’s EV infrastructure and future transport agenda.
Structured around the concept of Sourcing, Entertainment and Training, this year’s edition signals a shift from transactional showcases toward integrated partnerships that span borders and sectors, emphasizing long-term partnerships, technology and skill development to bolster Malaysia’s role as a key mobility hub in the ASEAN region.
Malaysia’s automotive market achieved a historic milestone, surpassing Indonesia to become the ASEAN’s leading car market in the first half of 2025, with Perodua and Proton accounting for 63% of total sales, solidifying Malaysia’s position as a regional leader.
Fiona Chiew, general manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, the organisers of Automechanika Kuala Lumpur, highlighted Malaysia’s shift from a participant to a leading driver in the ASEAN automotive sector.
“Automechanika Kuala Lumpur has transformed from a transactional trade fair into a strategic platform where partnerships across sectors and borders are formed.
“Malaysia is increasingly becoming the meeting point for these conversations – a result of deliberate policy, growing market scale and an industry that is ready to lead,” she said.
Major exhibitors present like Brembo, Kovax, Schmaco, Vanli, Launch, TUHU Car Care, TecAlliance, and Leoch Battery are focusing on green energy, electrification, digital supply chains and AI integration, reflecting the breadth of a global automotive supply chain that increasingly sees Malaysia as both a priority market and a regional manufacturing partner.
The exhibition features the Automotive Mobility Solutions zone, focusing on new energy vehicles and digital tools to bridge the regional aftermarket skills gap.
It covers the entire supply chain, including Parts & Components, Electrics & Electronics, Diagnostics & Repair, and Body & Paint.
The Automotive Mobility Solutions Conference brought together industry leaders, policymakers and technology experts to examine the forces reshaping the sector – from the transition to EVs and autonomous vehicles, to digitalised supply chains, sustainable manufacturing and ESG compliance.
Beyond the exchange of market intelligence and investment insights, the conference served as a practical forum where businesses could access actionable knowledge on integrating technologies such as AI and IoT into their operations, and forge cross-sector connections spanning regulation, finance, logistics and research.
The Automotive Service Marketplace represents a “parallel story” of rapid transformation, bringing together diverse players such as detailing specialists, body and paint shops, chain workshops and e-commerce platforms under one roof. This shift signals a major evolution in the aftermarket sector – one where independent workshops are professionalising, digital retail is entering the service chain, and the demand for skilled technicians in EV and hybrid servicing is outpacing supply.
The Collision Repair Training Workshop, with its live demonstrations of AI-driven painting robots (X-triton Paint Go), addresses this gap directly, proving that talent development is now as essential as, and intertwined with, product innovation.
Beyond the trade floor, the autoFEST@KL rounded out the edition, featuring car displays, modifications and EMMA Malaysia audio competitions, blending business networking with car culture; as well as an Outdoor, Camping, and Caravan zone highlighting the growing trend of camping, campervans and caravan lifestyle.
For Malaysian businesses, the event acts as a platform for strengthening regional footholds, allowing local players to connect with global partners, crucial for building local capabilities and fostering economic growth.
“Fifteen editions in, Automechanika Kuala Lumpur has evolved from a reflection of where the industry stands into a glimpse of where it is going. The conversations happening here – between global manufacturers, local players, policymakers, and emerging technology providers – are the ones that will define ASEAN’s mobility landscape for the decade ahead,” Chiew concluded.
As ASEAN accelerates its shift towards electrification and smarter mobility, Malaysia is emerging not just as a participant, but as a convening ground for the region’s next phase of automotive growth.
For more information, visit https://automechanika-kualalumpur.hk.messefrankfurt.com/kualalumpur/en.html
