TrakMotive showcases its new Black Line CV axles at AAPEX

TrakMotive’s debut of its Black Line ultra-premium CV axles this week at APEX signaled to its buyers in the automotive aftermarket its continued commitment to providing high-quality innovation that benefits shops by putting the longevity of the customer’s vehicle first.

As stated in its product release, the Black Line CV axle features a chemically bonded phosphate surface embedded within the metal, delivering superior performance and corrosion resistance without relying on traditional coatings, plating, or dimensional changes. Complementing this innovation is an advanced chloroprene boot material engineered for improved flexibility and enhanced resistance to ozone and temperature breakdown—providing double the protection of conventional designs. The distinctive black finish establishes a new benchmark for durability, chemical protection, and extended service life in underbody applications.

Trakmotive also promoted its new Chassis Components line, which includes suspension links, control arms, tie rod ends, and additional underbody solutions.

Ryan DeVoe, global director of Product Data Management at Advanced Innovative Technology Corp. spoke to Aftermarket Business World at the event.

Aftermarket Business World: Can you tell us about Trakmotive and what makes your Black Line CV axles unique?

Ryan DeVoe: We're the largest CV axle aftermarket manufacturer and vendor in the US. We pride ourselves on innovation and being first to bring new technology to market. We were the first to bring flat spline technology to the aftermarket, first with extended travel applications for lifted trucks, and we developed a true monoblock—a one-piece hollow center bar. We've decided to roll these innovative products into our Black Line, which is an ultra-premium CV axle offering. It's fully phosphated, a process that chemically changes the metal itself into a crystalline-type substance. This means no more spline galling, no more thread issues, and superior corrosion resistance.

In addition, we've developed an enhanced chloroprene material with greater ozone resistance and higher chemical resistance. It provides the same strength as thermoplastic but with the flexibility of a new compound. The Black Line includes our extended travel products for late-model vehicles and high-value applications, like Mercedes AMG and BMW M series cars. We're taking our premium, first-to-market technology to another level entirely.

Aftermarket Business World: What specifically makes the Black Line the technician's choice?

DeVoe: Beyond the corrosion-resistant properties of the new metallurgy, the splines themselves benefit significantly. Traditionally, splines experience corrosion due to the dielectric effect with the hub assembly, resulting in seized splines and loose threads. Our new coating prevents this, eliminating seized splines and thread galling. This makes installation much smoother, especially on higher mileage vehicles.

The design resists not only heavy salt environments in northern areas but also the highly alkaline soaps used in undercarriage car washes, which cause rubber deterioration on standard products. Our new boots resist both alkaline soap and chemical deterioration.

We've also included more robust hardware—we're the first to include flange mounting bolts for truck applications. Essentially, all hardware that needs to be touched for removal is upgraded. It's a better product from a longevity standpoint and also from an aesthetic perspective. Even the packaging communicates quality. When someone with an AMG Mercedes receives this box, they immediately sense that they've made a wise investment. Inside, they'll find a fully black axle with all necessary hardware and installation instructions. Our Black Line products are fully form-fit-function equivalent to OEM specifications.

Aftermarket Business World: You mentioned corrosion? What environments is this product best suited for?

Ryan: It's better across the board, from north to south. It has better heat resistance in places like Arizona and better performance in northern salt environments. It's also better equipped to handle the highly alkaline undercarriage washes at car washes. Overall, it improves longevity and resists environmental deterioration for every component, regardless of climate.

Aftermarket Business World: How does the longevity and durability of the Black Line compare to past products or similar offerings?

DeVoe: The internal construction and longevity we've maintained remain the same—we maintain very high quality OE-level interior component fitment. There's no innovation on the interior side because we already have one of the best products in that regard. The Black Line is more about putting a protective shield over an already great product so that it lasts longer in demanding environments. It's protection and longevity enhancement on top of our already excellent internal engineering.