Motive Gear
Motive Gear manufactures aftermarket automotive drivetrain components — ring and pinion gearsets, differential bearing kits, transmission parts, transfer case parts, and replacement axle shafts — as a division of Midwest Truck & Auto Parts, Inc. It serves DIY enthusiasts, professional installers, wholesale distributors, and racing teams across North America via four warehouses, an EZ-Link B2B ordering platform, and racing-event sponsorships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersChicago Park, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Motive Gear does
Motive Gear, founded circa 1990 and operating as a division of Midwest Truck & Auto Parts, Inc., manufactures aftermarket automotive drivetrain components. Its portfolio centers on ring and pinion gearsets and differential bearing kits, extended by transmission parts, transfer case components, replacement axle shafts, and the TEN Factory sub-brand of high-strength chrome-moly axle shafts. The company also markets PowerTrax differential lockers and Richmond Gear performance products, and supports install with vehicle- and application-specific catalogs, including a 275+ page differential parts catalog, a 270+ page transmission and transfer case catalog, and dedicated application guides for Jeep, Mustang, and diesel pickups.
Core technology rests on Gleason gear-design technologies with current cutting and heat-treat processes, with gears manufactured in Italy. A Chicago-based Quality Control lab performs stress and metallurgical analysis on parts returned from racing applications, feeding engineering improvements back into the product line. Warranty coverage is structured to reflect performance tiering — one year for standard products and two years for Motive Gear Performance ring-and-pinion sets, with TEN Factory axle shafts carrying a 10-year warranty.
The business model is wholesale-driven hardware sales. Motive Gear generates revenue through independent wholesale distributors, premium retail partners (Morris 4x4 Center, Quadratec, Auto Anything, American Trucks), and the EZ-Link B2B ordering system; four North American warehouses support 2-4 day delivery to most locations. Primary customer segments are automotive DIY enthusiasts, professional installers, wholesale distributors, and racing teams across drag, off-road, short-course, and desert disciplines. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is quote-based. Brand awareness is reinforced through sponsorship of racing teams at events sanctioned by NHRA, IHRA, NMRA, NMCA, SODA, SCORE, BITD, Ultra-4, and NASCAR, plus a contingency awards program that incentivizes racers to run Motive Gear product.
Motive Gear firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Motive Gear
- Legal name
- Midwest Truck & Auto Parts, Inc.
- Website
- https://motivegear.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Motive Gear manufactures aftermarket automotive drivetrain components — ring and pinion gearsets, differential bearing kits, transmission parts, transfer case parts, and replacement axle shafts — as a division of Midwest Truck & Auto Parts, Inc. It serves DIY enthusiasts, professional installers, wholesale distributors, and racing teams across North America via four warehouses, an EZ-Link B2B ordering platform, and racing-event sponsorships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Motive Gear industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aftermarket Automotive Drivetrain Parts
- NAICS
- Motor Vehicle Transmission and Power Train Parts Manufacturing (33635), Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing (3363)
- SIC
- Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories (3714), Ball & Roller Bearings (3562)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Aftermarket Drivetrain & Powertrain Components Manufacturing (Clutches/CV Axles/Alternators/Starters) (IMACANAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Axle, Differential & Final Drive Manufacturing (Front/Rear/E-axle housings) (IMACAHAG)
Keywords
Where Motive Gear is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago Park
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Motive Gear business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others
Revenue model
- Aftermarket Parts Sales: Motive Gear generates revenue through the sale of aftermarket drivetrain components including ring & pinion gearsets, differential bearing kits, transmission parts, transfer case parts, and replacement axle shafts. Products are sold through wholesale distributors, retailers, and direct B2B ordering. One-time product sales model with repeat purchase cycles driven by product wear and vehicle modification needs.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Motive Gear product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Motive Gear manufactures and distributes aftermarket drivetrain components for cars and trucks, including ring and pinion gearsets, differential bearing kits, manual transmission and transfer case parts, and replacement axle shafts. The company offers the broadest line of ring and pinion gearsets in the aftermarket, along with sub-brands TEN Factory (high-performance axle shafts) and PowerTrax (differential lockers and limited-slip units).
Product overview
Motive Gear is a performance drivetrain products company and division of Midwest Truck and Auto Parts, offering a comprehensive portfolio of automotive drivetrain components. The core product line centers on ring and pinion gearsets and differential bearing kits, complemented by transmission parts, transfer case parts, and replacement axle shafts. The company operates two sub-brands: TEN Factory (high-performance axle shafts with 10-year warranty) and PowerTrax (differential lockers and limited slip differentials). Supporting the product portfolio are digital tools including gear ratio calculators and the EZ-Link B2B ordering platform. Motive Gear serves both racing professionals and DIY customers, with products found in winner's circles at NHRA, IHRA, NMRA, NMCA, SODA, SCORE, BITD, Ultra-4, and NASCAR events.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- TEN Factory: High performance front and rear axle shafts and axle kits by Motive Gear, covered by a 10-year warranty
- PowerTrax
- Richmond Gear
Products and services
- Ring & Pinion Gearsets
Quantifiable outcome
- Warranty coverage of 2 years / 100,000 miles for Performance ring & pinion gear sets; 1 year / 50,000 miles for all other products
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Motive Gear
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Motive Gear technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Motive Gear partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Terry McMillen (Amalie Motor Oil InstiGator Top Fuel)coreTop Fuel drag racer Terry McMillen operates an 8,000 horsepower dragster. Motive Gear engineers partnered with his team to evaluate gearsets, resulting in improved racing gearsets that last 70+ runs (potentially 100) versus previous 20 runs. Motive Gear engineers check each ring and pinion in their lab after 70 runs.
- Jason Scherer RacingcoreJason Scherer, 2016 King of the Hammers 2nd Place finisher, partners with Motive Gear for desert racing. Scherer competes in the world's toughest one-day race (165-mile course) where equipment durability is critical. His team relies on Motive Gear products that survive extreme conditions including 100+ MPH across dry lakes and rocky trails.
- Rob McCachrencoreRob McCachren is a veteran off-road racer with 30+ years of experience competing at King of the Hammers. He describes the race as one of the top most exciting experiences in his racing career.
- Campbell Racing FamilycoreShannon Campbell (2-time KOH winner), Bailey Campbell (first woman to podium at KOH with 5th place finish), and Wayland Campbell compete as a family team. Wayland won his first Ultra4 race at Badlands. Motive Gear supports their racing efforts.
- Jimmy Cantrell RacingminorJimmy Cantrell won at Bradenton in the Detroit Locker Truck & Lightning class, demonstrating Motive Gear product performance in racing applications.
- Lovell Racing (Brad & Roger Lovell)coreOff-road racing team owned by brothers Brad and Roger Lovell. Compete in TORC short course races, desert races, rock races, and hill climbs. Earned 9 championships and two Baja 1000 class wins in 10 years. Motive Gear listed as a team partner alongside AMSOIL, BFGoodrich, WARN, Fox Racing, and others.
- Campbell/ Monster Energy RacingcoreMonster Energy drivers Shannon and Wayland Campbell compete in Ultra4 racing. Wayland achieved his first Ultra4 win at Badlands Gran Prix. Motive Gear supports the team in extreme off-road conditions.
- Carl Renezeder (Team Renezeder)coreCarl Renezeder competed in Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series holding the record for nine consecutive wins in Pro-4 division. Represented at Miller Motorsports Park events.
- Larry Geddes RacingminorLarry Geddes competes in Midwest drag racing events, pulling front tires while planting rears. Relies on Motive Gear Performance for reliable results.
- Team WandahsegaminorOff-road racing team competing in mud drags, tire pulls, and hill'n hole events. Achieved multiple wins including first place in Triple Truck Challenge and class wins at various events in Michigan.
- World AmericanminorListed as another product site under the same corporate umbrella (Midwest Truck and Auto Parts). Part of the family of automotive parts brands.
- PowerTraxminorDifferential products brand also under Midwest Truck and Auto Parts. Products cross-referenced in diesel pickup brochure and differential catalogs.
- TEN FactoryminorHigh performance axle shaft brand under Motive Gear. Offers front and rear axle shafts with 10-year warranty. Listed alongside Motive Gear and PowerTrax in product catalogs.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Motive Gear competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ARB 4x4 Accessories: Global aftermarket manufacturer and distributor of off-road accessories including differential components, axle assemblies, and drivetrain parts serving the same enthusiast and overlanding customer segments.
- G2 Axle & Gear: Direct competitor in aftermarket axle shafts, differential covers, and gear-and-axle packages for Jeep, truck, and off-road enthusiasts, sold through the same distributor and installer ecosystem.
- Revolution Gear & Axle: Aftermarket manufacturer of ring & pinion gearsets and install kits for differentials, competing on price-conscious street and off-road applications similar to Motive Gear's standard product line.
- Yukon Gear & Axle: Direct competitor in aftermarket ring & pinion gearsets, differential bearing kits, and axle shafts for trucks and Jeeps. Overlapping product categories, distribution channels (wholesale/retailer), and target customer base of enthusiasts and installers.
- Auburn Gear: Manufacturer of limited-slip and locking differentials and gear drive components for automotive and industrial applications, overlapping with Motive Gear's sister-brand PowerTrax locker/traction products.
- East Coast Gear Supply (ECGS): Specialty aftermarket supplier of ring & pinion gearsets, gear packages, and differential components targeting Jeep, truck, and racing applications with a similar enthusiast and installer customer base.
- Dynatrac: Aftermarket manufacturer of heavy-duty axle assemblies, differential housings, and axle shafts for Jeep and off-road trucks, competing directly with Motive Gear and TEN Factory axle offerings.
- USA Standard Gear & Axle: Aftermarket manufacturer of ring & pinion gearsets, installation kits, and differential covers serving the same light-duty truck, Jeep, and performance car segments through wholesale and online channels.
Broad incumbents
- Dana Incorporated (Spicer / Dana Aftermarket): Major OEM and Tier-1 supplier of drivetrain components including axles, driveshafts, and differential assemblies; broad incumbent with aftermarket coverage (Dana/Spicer) overlapping Motive Gear's product categories at a much larger scale.
- Eaton (Automotive / Performance Division): Large diversified manufacturer with an automotive segment producing differentials (Eaton Truetrac, Detroit Locker) that pair with Motive Gear ring & pinion gears in customer builds, serving overlapping automotive and performance markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Motive Gear social profiles
Digital presenceMotive Gear financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Motive Gear leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Motive Gear funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Motive Gear M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Motive Gear
What does Motive Gear do?
Motive Gear manufactures and distributes aftermarket drivetrain components for cars and trucks, including ring and pinion gearsets, differential bearing kits, manual transmission and transfer case parts, and replacement axle shafts. The company offers the broadest line of ring and pinion gearsets in the aftermarket, along with sub-brands TEN Factory (high-performance axle shafts) and PowerTrax (differential lockers and limited-slip units).
Is Motive Gear a public or private company?
Motive Gear is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Motive Gear founded?
Motive Gear was founded in 1990. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Motive Gear based?
Motive Gear is headquartered in Chicago Park, United States, in the North America region.
How does Motive Gear make money?
One revenue line is on record: aftermarket Parts Sales.
Who are Motive Gear's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ARB 4x4 Accessories, G2 Axle & Gear, Revolution Gear & Axle, Yukon Gear & Axle, Auburn Gear, East Coast Gear Supply (ECGS), Dynatrac and USA Standard Gear & Axle. Broad incumbents are Dana Incorporated (Spicer / Dana Aftermarket) and Eaton (Automotive / Performance Division).
Does Motive Gear have an API?
No public API is recorded for Motive Gear.
What industry is Motive Gear in?
Motive Gear's product category is Aftermarket Automotive Drivetrain Parts. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACANAD, Aftermarket Drivetrain & Powertrain Components Manufacturing (Clutches/CV Axles/Alternators/Starters), with a secondary code of IMACAHAG, Axle, Differential & Final Drive Manufacturing (Front/Rear/E-axle housings). Its NAICS code is 33635 and its SIC code is 3714.