For decades, the spirit of offroad adventure has been about one simple idea:
Go where the road ends.
But as the industry grows, perhaps it is time to ask another question:
Where does the industry itself want to go?
That is the bigger conversation confronting the Asia Offroad Expo & Convention (AOX) 2026, scheduled at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur from Oct 23 to 25.
The answer is to propose five industry resolutions covering manufacturing, standards, sustainability, road safety and nature conservation.
Together, they represent an attempt to give a rapidly developing industry a clearer direction.
Time to provide some industry guidelines
Veteran expedition leader Thomas Foo, who has undertaken 47 trans-continental expeditions and is also the organiser of AOX, is leading the way.
“The time has come to provide some guidelines,” he said plainly.
“All these years, there hasn't really been any comprehensive guideline for the offroad industry.
“At present, the offroad and overland platform in this part of the world can be described as being pretty fragmented.”
To set the direction, five resolutions have been proposed to achieve the following:
Build the industry.
Improve standards.
Prepare for the future.
Improve safety.
Protect nature.
To have the industry resolutions adopted, Thomas said that AOX would invite the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety (MIROS), the Malaysian Institute of ESG (MiESG), Malaysian Four Wheel Drive Association (MFWDA), Indonesia Offroad Federation, Land Cruiser Club Malaysia, Malaysian 4 Wheelers, 4x4 Adventure Club Kuala Lumpur and other clubs and bodies across the region to attend the AOX opening on Oct 23 2026 to discuss and adopt the proposed industry resolutions. The others include the Offroad Club China, Johor 4WD Club, Offroad Magazine Thailand and Offroad Magazine Japan.
Thomas said that several key figures and international speakers would be invited to attend the AOX Convention including legendary British adventurer Nick Sanders MBE, who has circumnavigated the world 11 times by bike and motorbike. The others include three speakers from the UK - Dave Gunning (owner of Bush Mechanics on Survival Techniques), Andrew Graham owner of AlliSport (an industry-leading manufacturer of bespoke aluminium cooling and fabrication upgrades) and Martin Lewis (4x4 competitor, course and special stage designer for Rainforest Challenge (six years).
The others speakers are MIROS chairman Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon, MiESG vice-president Prof Dr Vikneswaran Nair, Eric Blokhuis from Victron Energy (Dutch manufacturer specializing in automotive and off-grid power solutions)Teng Yu-Mein (Inventor of Efinity EZ Water Filter for remote areas).
All the speakers will also be invited to attend the convention on the industry resolutions.
Resolution 1: Establish Asia as a Global Offroad & Adventure Mobility Manufacturing and Distribution Hub
The first resolution calls on Asia to strengthen its position as a global hub for the design, development, manufacturing, assembly and distribution of offroad vehicles, adventure motorcycles, bicycles, outdoor equipment, mobility systems and related technologies.
This is about recognising what Asia already brings to the table.
The region has major vehicle and motorcycle manufacturers, extensive manufacturing capabilities, component suppliers, technology developers and one of the world's largest consumer markets.
But an industry becomes stronger when its different players are connected.
Manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, technology companies, adventure operators, tourism businesses and users all form part of the same ecosystem.
“This resolution proposes that Asia should not merely be a large market for offroad and adventure products,” Thomas said.
“It should also aspire to become a place where the products, technologies and ideas of the future are developed and made.”
Resolution 2: Harmonised Asian Safety, Compliance & Quality Standards Framework
Building the industry is one thing.
Making it work across borders is another.
The second resolution calls for greater harmonisation of safety, technical, compliance and quality standards, aligned where appropriate with recognised international standards and certification frameworks.
This is particularly relevant in Asia, where products can cross several national markets and regulatory systems.
Different technical requirements and standards can create barriers to trade and make it more complicated for companies to develop and distribute products across countries. ASEAN itself identifies the harmonisation of standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment as an important part of reducing such barriers.
“This AOX proposal is therefore not necessarily about creating one rulebook for every Asian country,” Thomas explained.
“It is about creating greater compatibility, understanding and cooperation.
“That could eventually make it easier for companies to develop products for regional markets, while giving consumers greater confidence in safety and quality.”
Resolution 3: Electrification & Sustainable Adventure Mobility Roadmap
The third resolution looks further down the road.
The world of mobility is changing.
Electrification, hybrid technologies, sustainable materials and energy efficiency are becoming increasingly important across the transport industry.
Offroad mobility cannot exist in isolation from that transformation.
The proposed resolution therefore calls for the sector to promote responsible innovation in electrification, hybrid technologies, sustainable materials, energy efficiency and environmentally conscious product and system design.
Resolution 4: Promote Safe & Responsible Use of Offroad & Adventure Vehicles on Public Roads
Then comes perhaps the most immediate responsibility.
Before an expedition reaches the trail, a convoy may travel hundreds or thousands of kilometres on public roads.
Before a motorcycle reaches an adventure route, it has to share the road with cars, buses, trucks and pedestrians.
The fourth resolution, proposed by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety (MIROS), therefore focuses on the safe, responsible and lawful use of offroad and adventure mobility vehicles on public roads.
That includes travel to and from offroad, overland, expedition, event and recreational destinations.
Incidentally, MIROS had earlier been appointed the Official Road Safety Partner for AOX 2026.
“The message from MIROS is straightforward: Being built for difficult terrain does not mean being exempt from responsibility on ordinary roads,” Thomas explained.
“The offroad community is part of the wider road-using community. And a stronger safety culture benefits everyone.”
Resolution 5: Asian Responsible Offroad & Nature Conservation Charter
Finally, there is the reason many people go offroad in the first place.
Nature.
Mountains.
Forests.
Rivers.
Trails.
Remote villages.
Wildlife.
The fifth resolution, proposed by the Malaysian Institute of ESG (MiESG), calls on Asian governments, industry stakeholders, expedition organisers, clubs and outdoor enthusiasts to protect biodiversity and natural ecosystems through responsible offroad practices.
This is particularly important because increased access brings increased responsibility.
ASEAN's ecotourism framework already recognises principles such as minimising environmental impact, protecting sensitive ecosystems, managing visitor impacts and promoting responsible behaviour.
The AOX proposal takes that conversation directly into the offroad and adventure mobility community.
Earlier, MiESG had been appointed the Official ESG Partner for AOX 2026.
Resolutions to address offroad industry needs
In short, the proposed resolutions to be tabled at AOX 2026 will confront the elephant in the room.
“Why should an offroad expo be talking about industry policy, standards, safety and environmental responsibility?” Thomas pointed out.
“The reason is because the industry is no longer small enough to operate as a collection of individual enthusiasts and businesses.
“It now involves manufacturers, importers, distributors, accessory companies, technology providers, tourism operators, expedition organisers, clubs, NGOs, government agencies and a large and growing community of users across different markets.
“That is the vision ahead of us that we want to share.”
That is why the proposed five resolutions are significant.
They create a starting point.
This is where AOX can potentially take on a much bigger role — transforming from simply an exhibition into an industry platform.
More importantly, they give the industry a place to begin discussing not only where it wants to go — but how it should get there.
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