This time of year, The Tokyo Auto Salon has been packing the Makahari Messe with loads of custom cars and thousands of aftermarket parts manufacturers for Japanese car enthusiasts.
We were all left in disappointment at the fact that COVID-19 wave had cancelled the 2021 Tokyo Auto Salon. It left a bit of a void in the industry, as for longer than anyone can really remember, TAS is how we’ve kicked off the year for almost all of its 37 years.
As disappointing as it was, soon enough everyone just got on with things. Whatever cars and products were bring prepared for a Tokyo Auto Salon debut were either soft-launched online, or put back under the knife. But it really classed up the ol’ Messe this year, at least compared to only a few years ago when it more closely resembled a Japanese version of the Essen Motor Show in Germany, or the SEMA show in Las Vegas. While those shows have been accused by some of lacking what you call “good taste,” this year’s Auto Salon featured some really cool cars and major announcements from most Japanese carmakers.
While there were many of the familiar booths with cars and girls on display, there were some popular booths missing from the halls this year’s TAS. Most Notable was Goodyear, Mazda, Aiwa & Fighting Star… along with Gyeon, D.A.D. and Junction Produce (just a few to note). But as always Gordon lived up to their hype with their booth always having a wild show on display!
