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Automotive, finance and technology leaders will gather in Singapore this October for AIMCONNECT 2026, an industry event focused on how artificial intelligence is changing the way vehicles are bought, sold, financed and experienced.
Organised by X Star Technology and AI Motion, AIMCONNECT 2026 will take place on 11 October at Shangri La Rasa Sentosa under the theme “Where Mobility Meets the Future”. The event is expected to bring together around 220 senior delegates from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), dealerships, financial institutions, technology companies and other automotive ecosystem partners.
The event is designed to bring different parts of the automotive value chain together as connected vehicles, changing consumer preferences and AI technologies reshape the industry. Discussions will look at how dealers, OEMs, financiers, technology companies and other stakeholders can work together as mobility models continue to evolve.
AIMCONNECT 2026 will open with a welcome address by Datuk Tony Khor Chong Boon, President of the Federation of Motor and Credit Companies Associations of Malaysia (FMCCAM), followed by a keynote address from Shawn Yang, CEO of X Star Technology.
The conference programme will feature keynote sessions, three panel discussions, fireside chats and an innovation showcase. Topics will include how AI could influence relationships between consumers and dealers, how data and intelligence could affect decisions throughout the vehicle purchase journey, and how the automotive industry can create a more connected financing experience linking consumers, dealers, lenders and technology providers.
Live showcases and demonstrations will also give attendees a closer look at emerging technologies being applied across automotive commerce and mobility, offering practical examples of how AI could be integrated into industry operations and customer experiences.
One of the main discussions will focus on the future of car ownership. Moderated by Andy Zhang, Chairman of Yixin Group, the panel will examine how traditional ownership compares with leasing, subscriptions, car sharing and ride hailing as new mobility options emerge. The panel will feature Xiao Ting, CEO of MK.X; Federico Chester, Head of Latin America Business Development at Uber; Akkbar Danial, Head of Automotive Distribution at DRB-HICOM and CEO of EON Berhad; Deng Zhitao, Managing Director of Changan Auto Southeast Asia and President of Changan Auto Sales Thailand; and James Ng, Managing Director of BYD Singapore and President of BYD Philippines.
A second panel, moderated by Michael Jia, CTO of X Star Technology, will explore how AI is being applied across customer engagement, marketing, vehicle sales and business operations. Speakers will include Carson Zhang, Founder and CEO of AIMotion; Connor Liu, AI Expert at Google; Dr Harold Teng, Director and Chief Project Coordinator at MKX Technology; and Bryan Tan, Chief Scientist at Carro Group and CEO of Carro Indonesia.
The third panel will examine the development of a connected automotive finance ecosystem. Moderated by Zhang Peng, CEO of M Star, the discussion will cover digital innovation, connected data and collaboration between different parts of the automotive and financial sectors. Speakers include Kitagawa Fumikazu, JSG SEA Leading Partner at Deloitte; Samuel Fischer, Managing Director, Head of China Onshore DCM and Beijing Branch Manager at Deutsche Bank; Matthew Duncan, CEO of JWT Bespoke; and Alan Crookes, Chairman of The CEO Circle and former CEO of BMW Financial Services for the APAC region.
