By SEMA News Editors
Toyota Motor North America Announces Executive Changes
Chris Yang, left, and Liz Gibson, right.
Toyota Motor North America has announced executive changes.
Chris Yang, senior vice president of Enterprise Strategy and Solutions, will expand his responsibilities to include chief legal officer and Enterprise Integrity. Yang will continue in his roles as deputy chief compliance officer and deputy chief risk officer for Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), and Yang's appointment as chief legal officer is consistent with TMC's vision of a globally aligned legal, compliance and risk team. In this role, he will oversee the company's legal, compliance and audit functions.
Liz Gibson, group vice president and general counsel, will assume the roles of group vice president of Regulatory Affairs and Environmental Sustainability, corporate secretary, and chief sustainability officer, reporting to Yang. In this role, Gibson will lead Toyota's U.S.-based corporate sustainability strategy and oversee regulatory policy and compliance.
Kim Cockrell, senior vice president, chief human resources and administrative officer, will take on additional responsibilities for sustainability and community impact, as well as corporate security and emergency management.
Sandra Phillips, senior vice president of Enterprise Integrity, chief legal officer, corporate secretary, and chief sustainability officer, will retire effective July 31, 2026. Throughout her tenure, Phillips played a critical role in strengthening Toyota's legal, regulatory, compliance and sustainability functions, helping guide the company through a dynamic policy and business environment.
Tom Stricker, group vice president of Regulatory Affairs and Environmental Sustainability, will retire effective June 30, 2026, following a long and impactful career advancing Toyota's regulatory, environmental and sustainability initiatives. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping the company's environmental strategy and strengthening stakeholder partnerships, says Toyota.
"These leadership changes reflect both our deep bench of talent and our commitment to continuity as we build for the future," said Ted Ogawa, president and CEO of Toyota Motor North America. "We are grateful to Sandra and Tom for their many contributions and look forward to the continued impact of Chris, Liz, Kim and the broader team."
Jeep Wrangler America250 Edition Lights Up the Red, White and Blue
Few vehicles embody the American spirit quite like the iconic Jeep Wrangler. From battle grounds to muddy trails, from city streets to mountain passes, Jeep Wrangler has long been a symbol of freedom and rugged capability. That legacy takes center stage with the introduction of the Jeep Wrangler America250 edition, the seventh drop in the brand's Twelve 4 Twelve Wrangler campaign, and a powerful celebration of red, white and blue pride ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary of freedom.
"The Jeep Wrangler America250 is built the Jeep way, rooted in Willys heritage, engineered for real-world capability and unapologetically proud of the freedom that the Jeep brand represents," said Bob Broderdorf, CEO, Jeep brand. "Trail proven from the factory floor, this special edition pairs bold American design with authentic off-road performance, celebrating Wrangler’s legacy as America turns 250."
The Wrangler America250 edition marks the nation's 250th anniversary. Recognized consecutively for a quarter century as one of "America's most patriotic brands," this Jeep Wrangler brings the celebration to life through unmistakable visual storytelling, honoring America's past while expressing an enduring spirit of freedom.
Designed as a moving tribute to American heritage, the Jeep Wrangler America250 features classic color blocking and graphic elements influenced by decades of Jeep history and its American roots. Patriotic graphics, Steel Oxide wheels, Jean Blue seats and soft-top, plus expressive red accents, combine to create a visually striking Wrangler special edition.
Exterior features include:
- Exclusive Bright White exterior highlighted by an America250 fender badge, commemorating the nation’s semi‑quincentennial.
- Jean Blue soft-top paired with 17‑inch Steel Oxide wheels in deep blue, creating a modern, denim‑inspired contrast that nods to classic Jeep utility roots.
- 33-inch BFGoodrich All‑Terrain tires with gray and black Willys‑inspired wheel caps, blending confident off‑road capability with timeless military design cues.
- Steel rock rails and red front and rear tow hooks, delivering authentic trail protection with high‑contrast, functional styling.
- Body‑color fender flares and gloss black fog lamp bezels integrated into the front bumper for a clean, cohesive profile.
- Standard LED headlamps and fog lamps.
The Jeep brand and Marvel also joined forces to deliver a special design element to the Jeep Wrangler that brings a heroic twist to this American icon, with a Captain America shield tire cover. Additionally, a Marvel comic book with an exclusive limited-edition cover, featuring Captain America and the Jeep Wrangler America250 edition, will come with the purchase of each vehicle.
Inside, the Wrangler America250 combines bold, American‑inspired design with the durability Wrangler owners depend on. Built on the proven Willys interior foundation, the cabin delivers heritage‑driven details and confident red, white and blue accents, all without compromising trail‑ready purpose.
Interior highlights include:
- Exclusive Jean Blue cloth seats and an America250 Velcro seat-back patch for owner personalization
- Jean Blue instrument panel mid bolster with tri‑color red, silver (white) and blue accent stitching, echoed throughout the cabin
- Unique tri‑color‑stitched steering wheel, red seat belts and recline straps, and red-and-silver‑stitched transmission and transfer case boots add high‑impact contrast
- Anodized carbon vent and steering wheel bezels elevate the interior’s technical look
- Mopar all‑weather floor mats, America250 debossed leather key chain with American flag motif and an America250 swing gate plaque reinforce the commemorative story
The new 2026 Jeep Wrangler America250 will begin arriving at dealerships this summer, with a starting MSRP of $2,095 on top of a comparably equipped model.
Honda Racing Corporation USA Showcases New Honda Performance Parts & 2026 Passport TrailSport HRC Concept
Honda Racing Corporation USA, the North American racing arm for both Honda and Acura, will showcase experimental HRC‑designed components that demonstrate the brand's growing commitment to adventure and overlanding capability at six overlanding events around the country.
The HRC display will feature a '26 Passport TrailSport HRC Concept equipped with functional performance upgrades, protective hardware, enhanced lighting, utility accessories and distinctive HRC styling beginning at Overland Expo West, which runs May 15-17 in Flagstaff, Arizona, and where HRC is also a title sponsor.
HRC will display the Passport along with Honda powersports products and a line of HRC merchandise available exclusively at the overlanding shows. The Passport TrailSport HRC Concept is designed to illustrate how HRC's motorsports expertise can elevate a production vehicle far beyond its factory capability.
"The HRC Passport concept is an example of how we’re exploring potential applications of HRC performance DNA beyond traditional motorsports," said Rob Ray, general manager of Performance Parts, HRC US. "Honda and HRC are committed to the overlanding and off-road space, and we're continuing to evaluate how that could show up in future products."
The TrailSport HRC Concept, which originally debuted at the 2025 SEMA show in Las Vegas, is a bold take on the '26 Honda Passport, already the most capable off-road Honda vehicle to date. It features innovative HRC performance and capability parts, functional accessories and unique styling to elevate it to new levels of performance. Engineered for off-road terrain and overlanding exploration, this concept vehicle features a comprehensive suite of enhancements across performance, protection, lighting and utility.
Trail-ready performance and protection modifications include:
- Redesigned lower front and rear bumpers to improve approach and departure angles.
- Extended aluminum skid plates and additional underbody protection to safeguard critical components, including the center bearing, prop shaft, and rear drive unit.
- New front and rear dampers.
- One-off exhaust system.
- 60 mm suspension lift combined with a one-inch increase in tire diameter for improved ground clearance.
- Wider rock sliders that can act as side steps.
- Swing-out full-size spare tire carrier.
Additional utility features are extensive, with enhanced lighting being a key focus of the concept. The SUV features upgraded fog lights, side camp lights, a rooftop light bar, ditch lights and rear chase lights, all run by a custom multi-zone lighting control system. HRC developed a low-profile roof rack equipped with a side canopy and added a rooftop tent to highlight the vehicle’s overlanding capabilities. The concept includes an 8,000 lb winch and an integrated rear air compressor.
The thoroughly upgraded interior is highlighted by exclusive HRC blue Alcantara inserts with HRC branding, a refrigerator and multiple new HRC accessory mounting panels throughout the vehicle.
The Passport rolls on prototype wheels and is finished in a matte Thermal Orange with a blackout roof. This purpose-built off-road machine is designed to elevate the Passport’s adventurous abilities and show a potential direction for an HRC Passport.
Learn more in the Honda Racing announcement.
Acura, Honda Announce Partnered Accessories Expand Customization Choices, Brings Trusted Third-Party Brands Into the Dealership Purchase Process
Acura has launched Acura Partnered Accessories, expanding customization options for Acura clients by integrating popular products from trusted third‑party brands directly into the vehicle purchase process. Acura Partnered Accessories broadens the already robust portfolio of Acura Genuine Accessories, creating a seamless, one‑stop buying experience at Acura dealerships nationwide—making it easier and more convenient for customers to increase the appearance, function and capability of their Acura vehicle at the point of purchase.
Honda also announced its own similar program: Honda Partnered Accessories, a new accessory line and initiative that adds a scalable accessory ecosystem alongside Honda Genuine Accessories, created to grow and adapt as customer needs and vehicle trends evolve.
Get the complete details in the Acura announcement and in the Honda announcement.
Background image courtesy of Shutterstock | Buntoon Rodseng
