KLIMS'13 - Ford at KLIMS, the Ford Fiesta EcoBoost and Ford EcoSport

Ford has chosen to participate in the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2013 (KLIMS'13) in a big way. They've decided to come up with a showcase showing its old and new cars. They've showcased a vintage Model A, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (no, this is just for show), Ford Focus Sport+ Graphite edition (above), Fiesta ST, the Fusion Hybrid saloon and two potential large sellers for them in Malaysia – the Ford EcoSport mini SUV and the Ford Fiesta 1.0l EcoBoost hatchback. Both the Ford EcoSport and EcoBoost will be launched next year with the Fiesta sometime early 2014 and the EcoSport later in the year.

KLIMS'13 - The Nissan Leaf is officially launched

Nissan launched the Nissan Leaf electric car at KLIMS13. RM168,000 on the road for a fully electric car. This is a car which would have limited mileage if you are hard on the throttle pedal most of the time and love air-conditioning, radio and lights on. If your commutes are reasonably short then it would be the car for you. It would actually suit eco-mentalists, housewives, aunties and uncles who would only use the car within a 30km radius to run errands and for anyone that hates filling up petrol at the pumps. All they have to do is use the supplied power cold and charge the car after each drive. 

Convenient.  And that's all I have to say about the Leaf. 

KL International Motor Show 2013 - 2014 Hyundai i30 Preview

The Hyundai i30 is a Hyundai Elantra sized hatchback. In fact if you're in America you could buy this as a Hyundai Elantra GT. The car will be sold here in Malaysia in the First Quarter of 2014 and will come with one engine spec, the 1.8liter NU MPI 4 cylinder engine which would make 150PS and178Nm torque. It will also get the 6 speed automatic transmission and will come with lots of kit. No official price has been given as yet but we're predicting it would be sold at RM110,000 to RM115,000 which is slightly higher (due to the specs given) than the previous i30 sold in Malaysia.

KLIMS13 - Toyota Camry Hybrid - A green Unclemobile?

The Toyota Camry Hybrid was on display at KLIMS13. You get the 2.5liter Atkinson cycle engine coupled with an electric motor powering the car like a larger, more luxurious Prius. It is supposed to be sold here in Malaysia soon but as its a 2.5 liter, it won't get any tax breaks. Its proposed pricing is predicted to cross RM180,0000. Steep for an uncle/auntie car that saves petrol. And don't think you'd get the Modelista bodykit and 19inch wheels with the price stated. That is surely optional.

KLIMS 2013- The 2014 Honda Odyssey launched in Malaysia

Honda has pulled out all stops to make its participation at the KL motor Show 2013 a success. They have decided to launch the 5^th generation Honda Odyssey two week after it was released over in Japan. This is one of the quickest automotive launches that has hit Malaysia in my opinion. The launch was officiated by Honda Malaysia Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Yoichiro Ueno, who must have been the force behind Honda's impressive participation at KLIMS13 - They have the Honda EV-STER concept car, the Honda CR-Z Mugen RR, the Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid as well as the car mentioned above to name a few.

The 2014 Odyssey is powered by the newly developed 2.4L DOHC i-VTEC (175PS and 225NM) Earth Dreams Technology engine and Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT). The All-New Odyssey features a newly developed “Ultra-Low Floor Platform”, which creates a spacious cabin equivalent to large-class MPV. Oh, it has the usual ECO functions that most Hondas have these days.

Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2013 (KLIMS13) opened today. And I have some comments. UPDATED

The Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2013 (KLIMS13) was officially launched by YB Dato’ Hasan Bin Malek, Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives & Consumerism earlier today. There are some highlights of the show below as well as the official press release for your viewing pleasure folks. (Perodua aside as I have reported about it already).

But before that, I also have to state the obvious. While KLIMS13 has quite a number of concept cars from the likes of Citroen, Hyundai, Perodua, Toyota to name a few and a few notable car launches and previews by Volkswagen (the CKD Polo 1.6 hatchback), Ford (Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost, Fusion Hybrid), as well as some others, the motorshow is lacking some big names and heavy hitters. Proton is not around. The major luxury German brands are non-existant (Audi, BMW and Mercedes Benz). There are no Rolls Royces or Bentleys. There are no Mitsubishi, Suzuki or Mazda. There is also no Kia or Chevrolet. There is also no Jaguar or Land Rover. No Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati too. Sad but very true.

I have not forgotten the fact that Infiniti and Subaru are first time participants. These car manufacturers bring a slight difference to this year's motor show. But it isn't much of a compensation.

KLIMS13 - At The Perodua Stand

I thought I'd start the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2013 (KLIMS13) review with Perodua. The reason being the fact that motor shows aren't sales road shows but one which showcases the latest concept cars from automotive manufacturers. There isn't too many at KLIMS13, which is a sore point, but Perodua the only 'local' representative (since Proton is a no-show) has a few design and engineering concepts to show.

Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2013 - KLIMS13: Updates - Ford bringing in an old lady and a hot Mustang and other news

The thing about an international motor show is there usually are concept cars on display. If there isn't any, then it isn't really an international motor show. Ergo, this time around KLIMS '13 will have Ford display some oldies like a Ford Model A (top)from waayyy back as well as the hot Ford Mustang GT500 (shown below). You can read more about this as well as other interesting displays.

Press Release after the jump.

KLIMS 2013: Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show '13 Update - KL International Automotive Conference Scheduled

In case any of you have been spending time under a rock, under a coconut shell or in a well, we would like to help announce that the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2013 (KLIMS13) is opening in less than a month. We are feeling the vibe of the awaited KLIMS13 as we approach the show dates from 15 to 24 November 2013 at the Putra World Trade Centre. Lucky visitors will have a chance to win a Toyota Prius or a Honda CRZ.

Aside from showing the latest cars and  automotive concepts to the general public, the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), organizer of KLIMS13, in an effort to consolidate a platform for the automotive industry players will be organizing the Kuala Lumpur Automotive Conference (KLIAC) 2013. You can read more about it in the  press release below.