While motoring fans and car enthusiasts in the Klang Valley have long had motorshows (as far back as the 1970s) where they can see the latest models and technologies, those in other parts of the country have not had similar events. Only small-scale roadshows at shopping centres have provided something like a motorshow and usually for specific brands.
In 2026, the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) will bring motorshows to Johor and Penang. MARii, an agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade & Industry (MITI), has been holding the Malaysia Auto Show since 2016 in Selangor, with each event growing in size.
Last year, it formed a collaboration with the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) which will see each organisation holding their motorshow in alternate years. As MARii held the Malaysia Auto Show this year (at MAEPS in Serdang), 2026 will be the MAA’s turn to hold its KL International Mobility Show which will be at MITEC in Kuala Lumpur.
Expanding auto show footprint
MARii will therefore use its ‘off year’ to expand the footprint of the Malaysia Auto Show to more regions in the country. These regional editions will bring automotive brands, manufacturers, technology providers, and mobility solutions directly to local communities — enabling Malaysians in northern and southern regions to see, learn and experience cutting-edge vehicle technologies, electric mobility and sustainable innovations firsthand.
These events are designed to replicate the immersive experience at MAEPS, bringing the same scale of engagement and innovation to regional audiences.
Penang (May 2026) and Johor (August 2026) were selected as the first locations for the Malaysia Auto Show due to their strategic importance in Malaysia’s automotive landscape, particularly in the increase of new energy vehicles within these states.
Bringing automotive innovations to more Malaysians
“In 2026, the Malaysia Auto Show will take a step back to give way to the Malaysian Automotive Association as they host the prestigious Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show. However, our mission remains unchanged and the drive to bring the latest automotive innovations closer to Malaysians will not stop at one venue or one city,” said Azrul Reza Aziz, MARii’s Chief Executive Officer.
“The Penang Auto Show and Johor Auto Show 2026 are an extension of the mission to ensure that people in every region have access to new generation vehicle technology, electric mobility and sustainable innovation. With this approach, we are not only expanding our reach, but also strengthening the development of the national automotive ecosystem in a more inclusive manner in line with the National Automotive Policy 2020,” he said.
