By SEMA News Editors
4Wheel Parts, ORW Names Wade Kawasaki to Board of Directors
4Wheel Parts and Off-Road Warehouse (ORW), the recently merged off-road and truck parts retailer, has named industry veteran Wade Kawasaki to its Board of Directors.
Kawasaki, who currently serves as executive chairman of The Wheel Group (TWG) and has a distinguished record as a leader in the automotive aftermarket, will bring his decades of expertise to the board while continuing to serve TWG, the company said.
"The 4Wheel Parts and ORW brands represent over 100 years of combined industry experience," CEO Greg Adler said. "With strategic guidance from leaders like Wade, and a dedicated team across our retail and online platforms, the future is exceptionally bright."
"I am honored to join the board of such an iconic company," Kawasaki said. "This is a pivotal moment for the industry, and I look forward to helping Greg and the team steer this newly combined organization toward sustained growth and innovation. This is a complement to my current role at TWG as 4Wheel Parts is one of our largest and most valued customers, and I truly believe that as the truck and off-road segment continue to grow, smart strategic leadership will benefit the segment and the entire industry."
For more information, visit 4wheelparts.com.
FOX Factory Announces '25 Factory Truck Model Updates
Last year, FOX Factory Holding Corp--the Atlanta, Georgia-based company best known for its FOX Racing Shox brand of off-road racing suspension components--unveiled a super truck built on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4WD platform that was the result of a collaboration between industry leaders and FOX Factory's Power Vehicle Division.
This year, the team took customer feedback to refine its '25 Fox Factory Truck further, transforming it into the most customizable super truck yet, the company said. The desert-dominating DNA of the FOX Factory Truck is designed to feature upgraded comfort based on the LTZ trim, a wide assortment of exterior colors, expanded lighting options and more ways for truck owners to make the super truck unique now at a new lower starting price, said FOX Factory.
For 2025, the FOX Factory Truck comes standard with Chevrolet's LTZ trim, offering premium interior options like heated and ventilated power front seats, an upgraded dashboard, and refined driver tech.
Along with the 700 hp and 655 lbs.-ft. of raw power from the supercharged 6.2L V8 and long-travel suspension system, truck owners can now fine-tune the FOX Factory Truck with more options, including standard, premium and custom exterior colors, lighting packages and tire carrier configurations.
For more information, visit the official FOX Factory Silverado webpage here.
NEXEN TIRE Wins 2025 Green Good Design Awards in the U.S.
NEXEN TIRE--the Seoul, South Korea-based global tire manufacturer--has announced that it has won two awards at the 2025 Green Good Design Awards for two of its tire lines: the N'FERA Sport R and N'Blue 4 Season 2. The Green Good Design Awards are the eco-focused division of the Good Design Awards, organized by The Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies. It recognizes products and technologies that demonstrate excellence in sustainability, innovation, energy efficiency and social impact.
"This award highlights our commitment to shaping a sustainable mobility environment through design-driven innovation," said Travis Kang, Global CEO of NEXEN TIRE. "This accolade confirms our commitment to sustainability and quality. We will continue to strengthen our brand through innovation and responsible management."
The N'FERA Sport R, a high-performance summer tire, received recognition in the Green Transportation category. It was praised for its function-driven design geared toward enhancing driving performance and user convenience. One major feature of the N'FERA Sport R is the "Step Groove" tread pattern. As the tire wears, the groove gradually expands the contact area, helping to maintain grip even in worn conditions. And a circular wear indicator at the center of the tread fades over time, indicating when the tire should be replaced.
The tire also uses a high-carbon black compound and a wide contact patch to improve grip. The interior is designed with a dual steel belt and a two-ply polyester structure to enhance stability and responsiveness at high speeds. These design components help to maintain consistent performance, even in high-torque electric vehicles, by preventing wheel slip.
The N'Blue 4 Season 2 was also recognized in the Green Transportation category for its eco-friendly design geared toward decreasing tread wear, extending replacement cycles and lower environmental impact. With a new compound that improves wear resistance by about 30% compared to the previous model, the tire lasts longer and generates less waste, promoting sustainability.
To ensure even contact with the road, NEXEN TIRE's N'Blue 4 Season 2 features fine sipes placed at the center of the tread blocks plus serrated edges on the outer tread improve braking on snow. In addition, a slanted support structure in the center reduces block movement on uneven surfaces, providing a more stable ride.
The N'Blue 4 Season 2 was previously awarded by the Red Dot Design Awards in Germany in 2022. In 2023, it also earned a "Green Tire" seal from German automotive magazine AutoBild for its ongoing efforts to reduce environmental impact.
Legacy EV Expands EV Innovators Club Nationwide, Brings Hands-On EV Education to Classrooms
Legacy EV--the provider of EV kits, components, education and build support based in Tempe, Arizona--is launching its groundbreaking EV Innovators Club nationwide, offering middle school educators an exciting, hands-on way to bring EV technology into their classrooms.
Designed for grades 5-9, the EV Innovators Club gives students the opportunity to design, build and race their own electric go-karts, all while engaging in STEM and career and technical education (CTE)-aligned learning. Following overwhelming demand, only 100 schools will be selected for the first national rollout starting in June 2025, with a waitlist now open for additional schools.
Legacy EV's plug-and-play program removes the barriers that often prevent schools from implementing cutting-edge STEM initiatives. With ready-to-teach lesson plans, hands-on teacher training, and a curriculum aligned with real-world EV industry standards, the EV Innovators Club makes it easy for educators--regardless of prior engineering experience--to introduce EV technology, sustainable energy concepts and problem-solving skills into their classrooms.
The announcement comes following a successful launch in Arizona, according to Legacy EV.
"The enthusiasm we saw from students and teachers in our Arizona pilot was incredible," said Mavrick Knoles, co-founder and president of Legacy EV. "Schools across the country have been asking for this kind of hands-on STEM program, and we're excited to make it a reality."
Interested school officials can learn more information and join the waitlist here.
Velocity Announces New Coast-to-Coast Authorized Dealer Network
Velocity, the Pensacola, Florida-based classic vehicle specialist, has announced its new authorized dealer network, offering customers the opportunity to experience and purchase Velocity builds nationwide. Previously, the only way to experience a Velocity build firsthand was by visiting Velocity's headquarters in Pensacola or registering for a pop-up test drive event. Now, with locations and inventory spanning across the country, customers can explore Velocity's craftsmanship firsthand on their terms.
The new Velocity authorized dealer network--with locations in California, Arizona, Texas, Arkansas, Illinois, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, Massachusetts and New York--will act as an extension of the Velocity experience. Each dealership will feature a Velocity showroom and allow prospective buyers to get behind the wheel of their favorite Velocity vehicles. Customers can get up close with Velocity's expertly restored and modernized classics, all designed to feature industry-leading engineering and premium materials. Various vehicles will be available at each location, including Broncos, Mustangs, Blazers, F-Series trucks, C10s and K10s. Select models will be available for immediate purchase so customers can take home a Velocity build the same day or work with their local dealer to customize their own build to be delivered at a later date.
"The demand for our vehicles is greater than ever," said Velocity CEO Stuart Wilson. "Our authorized dealer network allows more people to experience the quality, performance and passion behind every Velocity build. This expansion is a big step in making our re-engineered classics more accessible while keeping the hands-on, curated experience that sets us apart."
The Velocity authorized dealer network is now live, with locations across the Southeast, Northeast, Midwest and West Coast. Velocity plans to continue expanding this network in the future, bringing the Velocity experience to even more enthusiasts nationwide. For more information about the Velocity Authorized Dealer Network, visit velocityrestorations.com, contact Velocity at 850-332-6064 or email sales@velocityrestorations.com.