The wait is over — the Tokyo Auto Salon Kuala Lumpur (TASKL) is happening now at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), running from August 8 to 10, 2025, and transforming the capital into a paradise for car enthusiasts.

KiniTV team was on the ground, soaking in an atmosphere that was nothing short of electrifying. From the moment we stepped into the hall, we were met with the roar of finely tuned engines, the gleam of custom bodywork under spotlights, and the excited buzz of fans snapping photos with Japanese tuning legends. The fusion of Malaysia’s homegrown builds with Japan’s most iconic machines created a cultural crossover that felt both global and proudly local — a true celebration of automotive passion.

Despite the presence of all these cars, stealing the spotlight was none other than automotive legend Hiroshi Tamura, globally hailed as the father of the modern GT-R. He was clearly in high spirits, fielding questions from eager fans ranging from behind-the-scenes engineering stories to the history of the GT-R. When asked, “If you could only choose one GT-R for the rest of your life, which would it be?” His answer was both heartfelt and telling.

“Do you have children? If you have two or three, could you pick just one as your favorite? Of course not — and it’s the same for me. I can’t choose just one GT-R. The R33, R34, and R35 were my professional projects, while the R32 came before my time on the GT-R team, so I enjoyed it purely as a fan. That makes the R32 a true ‘buddy’ to me — something I’ll always want to keep.”

Speaking to the media, Jason Yap, CEO and Director of Element X Strategies, said the opening day crowd had exceeded expectations. “If you were here this morning, you would have seen the massive queue even before the doors opened — some fans even camped outside. By midday, TASKL had already welcomed between 10,000 to 12,000 visitors, with more expected in the evening and an even bigger turnout anticipated over the weekend.

Jason highlighted Liberty Walk, Top Secret, and the DAS as the top crowd favourites. He noted that in just three years, the show has grown significantly — with more exhibitors, a stronger presence from Japanese participants, and a gradual shift toward a format closer to the original Tokyo Auto Salon in Japan.

Japanese Legends Are Here in Person
Fans are flocking to meet six icons of Japanese tuning history — all gathered in Kuala Lumpur to mingle with visitors, judge contests, and share their passion. Among them is Smokey Nagata of Top Secret, the king of high-speed builds and wild GT-R swaps; Wataru Kato of Liberty Walk, the wide-body visionary; Isami Amemiya of RE Amemiya, the rotary wizard of the RX-7 world; Takahiro Kataoka of KUHL Racing, known for radical aero and metallic showpieces; Hisaaki Murakami of J’S Racing, the Honda performance guru; and Hiroshi Tamura, celebrated as the “Father of the Modern GT-R.”

Machines That Stop You in Your Tracks

From the moment the doors opened, cameras have been flashing at the jaw-dropping Japanese builds flown in for TASKL25. Highlights include the Top Secret VR32 Stealth Nissan GT-R — a BNR32 with an R35 heart; Liberty Walk’s Ferrari F40 and Super Silhouette ER34, where exotic meets JDM; the CREWCH Delusion GT-R R356C, a next-gen GT-R vision; RE Amemiya’s NA-7 widebody RX-7 making its Malaysian debut; and the ALESS Century Complete WL, a luxury masterpiece with a custom twist.

Malaysia’s Finest Tuners in the Spotlight
A brand-new Malaysia’s Finest Tuners (MFT) section is drawing crowds, showcasing local heroes and their builds. It’s a celebration of homegrown talent and a bridge between the Japanese and Malaysian tuning scenes.

Non-Stop Action Beyond the Cars

The halls are alive with activities for every kind of enthusiast. Visitors can witness the Auto Styling Competition judged by the Japanese legends, enjoy the Rare Malaysian Car Showcase as a nostalgic tribute to local motoring, and explore themed zones like Sakura Street and Midnight Tokyo that feel straight out of Shibuya. There’s also the RaceRoom Endurance Challenge — a two-hour simulator race, the Car-Meets-Cosplay competition blending car culture with anime flair, live art sessions by Zameer Pentbrush, a motorcycle lucky draw by EXN Lubricants, and Mini TAS, a diecast paradise where collectors are snapping up exclusive model releases like the Toyota Supra MK4 chase editions.

Tickets & Promotions
This year, the organisers have made the event more accessible than ever. Adult one-day passes are priced at RM48, while children aged six to twelve enter for RM30. A family combo is available for RM120, and three-day adult passes are also RM120. OKU card holders enjoy 50% off along with their caregivers, and children under five enter for free. For extra savings, use promo code KINI10.

The engines are roaring, the legends are here, and the weekend is calling. Whether you’re a hardcore JDM fan or just chasing an adrenaline rush, Tokyo Auto Salon Kuala Lumpur 2025 is the place to be — but only until Sunday.

📅 August 8–10, 2025 | 📍 MITEC, Kuala Lumpur
🎟 Promo code: KINI10 — Unlock your ticket to Malaysia’s ultimate automotive festival.

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