Fifteen years after starting as a grassroots gathering for Malaysia’s custom automotive community, Art of Speed (AOS) is increasingly positioning itself as a regional platform, drawing renowned builders, brands and collectors from across Asia as Southeast Asia’s automotive lifestyle scene continues to expand.
The annual festival, scheduled for this weekend (Aug 1 and 2) at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS), will feature participants from Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, Brunei and the Philippines, reflecting the event’s evolution from a domestic showcase into a regional meeting point for the custom culture industry.
Among this year’s headline attractions are several vehicles being brought to Malaysia exclusively for the festival, including a rare 1945 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead by Japan’s Hawgholic, a 1966 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead from Vise Clothing, nine modified and rare cars from Bangkok, Thailand, and showcase vehicles from Japanese workshops Garage Yoshida and Garage Defend. In addition, around 15 classic chopper motorcycles will ride from Bangkok to Malaysia to take part in this weekend's event.
Japanese tuning icon Liberty Walk (LBWK) will also make its maiden appearance at the event. In collaboration with Wishlist Project and EXN Lube, Liberty Walk will unveil Malaysia's first Nissan Skyline R34 Super Silhouette. AOS is also collaborating with LBWK on a special merchandise capsule collection.
Festival director Asep Ahmad Iskandar said the growing international participation reflected years of efforts to build relationships within the global custom automotive community, particularly across Southeast Asia.
He said AOS had established connections with builders and brands from the United States, Europe and Japan, but remained focused on strengthening the region’s custom culture ecosystem.
"International brands have seen what we have built here and what we have done for the region," he said, adding that the festival was now working closely with global names including Hot Wheels, Harley-Davidson, Vespa, Kyosho and DJI.
Asep said the opportunity to expand the community further reflected the festival’s inclusive approach, welcoming enthusiasts regardless of background.
The event’s international reach has expanded considerably since its debut in 2012.
Its early editions welcomed builders from Jakarta, Bangkok and Singapore before attracting support from global names such as MOONEYES, which first participated in 2013 and has remained a long-time collaborator.
Since moving to MAEPS in 2015, AOS has steadily broadened its appeal beyond customised cars and motorcycles, incorporating art, fashion, music and collectibles into what has become one of Malaysia’s signature automotive lifestyle festivals.
The event has also helped nurture Malaysia’s diecast collecting community through the Hot Wheels Collectors Convention Malaysia (HWCCM), now in its fourth edition.
Held alongside AOS, the convention has grown into one of the region’s notable Hot Wheels gatherings, attracting collectors from across Southeast Asia and featuring exclusive convention models and appearances by Hot Wheels designers.
This year’s convention will welcome Ronald Wong, lead product designer for Hot Wheels Premium, whose portfolio includes several sought-after collector models. At the same time, Hall C will feature an exhibition of Nissan Skyline GT-Rs organised with the Malaysia Skyline Owners Group.
Beyond the exhibitions, organisers see the festival as reflecting the growing convergence of automotive culture and the creative economy, in which custom vehicles, design, fashion, music and collectibles are becoming part of a broader lifestyle ecosystem that resonates with younger audiences across the region.
With overseas builders shipping motorcycles and cars into Malaysia specifically for the event, Art of Speed is no longer just showcasing custom culture; it is increasingly helping shape Southeast Asia’s place within it.
