KUALA LUMPUR: The launch of the inaugural Asia Offroad Expo and Convention (AOX 2026) got off the
ground at the World Trade Centre KL with the ambition of positioning Malaysia as a regional hub for the rapidly expanding offroad, 4x4 and overland industry.
Launched by the Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Chiew Choon Man, the three-day event would be held from Oct 23 to 25.
However, AOX 2026 would also serve as a "live" offroad and overland platform, akin to an ecosystem for this region.
The upcoming event and the setting up of the "live" platform are made possible by Thomas Foo, the founder and executive director of the Overland Explorer Centre.
Foo has organised and led 46 major 4x4 expeditions across six continents – Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Australia/Oceania – over the past 35 years.
His achievements also included five expeditions to the Antarctica and he’s off again in May for the Explorer Trans-Siberia 5 that covers Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Tibet, Xinjiang, Mongolia and Russia (ending in Vladivostok, where it meets the Pacific Ocean).
Foo’s rationale for the AOX 2026 and a dedicated platform that caters to this region lies in the fact that currently, Asia has no unified continental offroad and overland federation.
"Our recreational 4WD structure in Asia is very fragmented unlike Europe, Australia and North America where offroad and overland sectors are better coordinated and governed," he added.
He described the organisation of the Asia Offroad Expo and Convention as a bold move to gather all offroad and overland enthusiasts in the region – involving four-wheel drives, adventure bikes, mountain bikes and recreation vehicles – under one platform.
AOX 2026 is targeted at bringing together industry leaders, manufacturers, distributors, outdoor brands, tourism stakeholders and adventure enthusiasts, and is expected to attract trade buyers and consumers across Asia-Pacific and beyond.
Chiew said global delegates participating in AOX 2026 would strengthen Malaysia’s position as a premier destination for niche tourism, particularly in overlanding, offroad adventure and ecotourism, which are increasingly becoming global lifestyle trends.
The AOX 2026 would cover three levels of the World Trade Centre along with Dewan Merdeka and the outdoor carpark (for major outdoor vehicle display) and is expected to feature more than 750 booths.
Aside from Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, other supporters of the event include Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry; Transport Ministry; Malaysia Institute of Road Safety (MIROS); Malaysia Institute of ESG (MISEG) and World Trade Centre KL, among others.
For details, visit www.asiaoffroadexpo.com.
