Automechanika Kuala Lumpur delve into vehicle trends

At present, Malaysia has the highest car ownership rate in the ASEAN region. This position as a mature automotive market leaves plenty of scope for new technologies to be adopted within the country.

Ms Fiona Chiew, Deputy General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co, spoke about this potential as well as the show’s unique position to facilitate information exchange for the automotive industry: “Connected mobility is a growing sector around the world, and it’s having transformative effects on the industry as a whole.

"With IoT implementation across all industries forecast to contribute as much as RM9.5 billion to Malaysia’s economy by 2020 and a further RM42.5 billion in 2025, we will bring together industry heavyweights, innovators and thought-leaders who will shape this future of connected mobility at the show.”

For the commercial vehicle segment, future developments are anticipated to be based around telematics and IoT devices, which are continuing to optimise commercial transportation. Given that 56% of exhibitors and 40% of trade visitors to the previous edition of the fair represented the commercial vehicle segment, the upcoming show is set to attract a large contingency of stakeholders eager to learn more about these topics. 

As such, the highly anticipated Fleet Management Conference will cater specifically to these stakeholders at the 2019 edition. The event will deliver informative presentations about telematics-based solutions, artificial intelligence and big data analytics, alongside the likes of on-board sensors to monitor and relay specific parameters, such as vehicle and tyre health data, freight temperature and driver health, attitude or habits in real time. This kind of technology is particularly useful for fleet managers and operators because it could increase efficiency, safety and reduce cost. 

IoT technology has also penetrated into the repair and maintenance sector through the use of data, by recognising and predicting component failures ahead of time. This has allowed commercial vehicle operators to switch to a model of predictive maintenance, and avoid unscheduled periods of maintenance.

The Collision Repair Training Workshop, which is specifically designed for technicians and mechanics will explore these topics. The workshop received high praise in 2017 and will return again in 2019 with an even more comprehensive programme of coverage and organisational support.

Hands-on demonstrations and theory-based discussions will be led by sector experts, covering topics such as measuring, pulling, painting and aluminium repair. Organised by the Federation of Automobile Workshop Owners' Association in Malaysia (FAWOAM) and collision repair experts I-CAR, each will use their respective networks to attract a large cross-section of regional stakeholders and expand promotional coverage of the workshop in the lead up to the fair. 

Another highly celebrated fringe event from 2017 was the EMMA Malaysia Final - Car Audio and Modification Competition, which showcases modified cars and audio installations from ASEAN countries. The event will again culminate at Automechanika Kuala Lumpur to bring an element of entertainment to the fairground, whilst also creating opportunities for networking. The final round of the competition will be followed by an awards ceremony.