KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's mature automotive industry is "on the cusp of a wide-scale transformation," said the world's largest trade fair and event organiser Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd.

Having organised the automotive trade fair -Automechanika Kuala Lumpur - for 20 years, the event company's general manager Fiona Chiew said it has continued to analyse the Malaysian industry closely with players in the industry and found them to be eager to embrace the future of the automotive landscape - ie electric vehicles (EVs) and the Internet of Things.

"When we organise a show, we do not just do the show (based on) our thinking, we also work with local associations and partners so this is one when we talk to them, and they have told us they want to know more about new technology and new training for the repair of cars.

"We also have EV and digital networking events that also connect and help them with the industry as well as (exposing them) to products and services which are more advanced,'' she told reporters after the Automechanika Kuala Lumpur 2023 opening ceremony here.

Chiew said other evidence of a transformation can be seen in the growing number of participants in this year's trade fair with a record-breaking 330 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions including Australia, China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Messe Frankfurt believes the country has ambitious automotive plans to establish more influence globally, from both policy-driven and private-sector initiatives.

Automechanika Kuala Lumpur 2023 is being held from today to March 18 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

 - BERNAMA