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NORTH EAST, Pa. — October 7, 2026 — BDS Suspension has selected NFI Empire's Project REBORN-001 as the platform for Unit #1 of its new rear air suspension system. The build, a 1979 Chevrolet K30 crew cab dually rebuilt on a contemporary GMC Sierra 3500 chassis with Duramax diesel power, will make its public debut at SEMA before going to auction at The Red Bird Games in Brentwood, Tennessee. Proceeds from the sale will benefit The Brett Boyer Foundation, a Nashville nonprofit working to improve outcomes for children with congenital heart disease and to support the Down syndrome community.
For a suspension manufacturer, choosing where to debut a new product is usually a straightforward decision. A booth at a trade show, a promotional video, or a press release with technical specs is often enough. BDS Suspension is taking a different route this time, and the decision to premiere the first production unit of its rear air suspension inside a one-of-a-kind charity build signals how the company wants to be seen in the evolving truck aftermarket.
Project REBORN-001 is a broad collaboration. NFI Empire, the custom-vehicle arm of Newport Gold, is managing the build and the integration of the suspension components. The truck retains the appearance of a late-1970s Chevrolet K30, but the platform underneath is thoroughly modern. A GMC Sierra 3500 frame provides the structure, and the Duramax diesel drivetrain supplies the muscle. The combination turns what would otherwise be a classic restoration into a practical, high-capability workhorse that also happens to look like a collector piece.
The suspension package on the truck mirrors that blend of old and new. BDS is contributing control arms and the new rear air suspension unit, while FOX supplies a remote-reservoir coilover up front and rear shocks with DSC adjusters. The result, according to the companies, is a system that smooths out the ride on pavement without compromising the truck's ability to carry heavy loads or handle rough terrain. For those who follow the segment, the pairing of air springs with adjustable damping is a clear signal that BDS is chasing both comfort and performance in one package.
SEMA, held every year in Las Vegas, has long been the place where aftermarket manufacturers reveal their latest work, and this year's event figures to be no different. For the first time, attendees will be able to see the new BDS rear air suspension installed on a working vehicle. The company says Unit #1 will be on exclusive display before the system's official release, and the build will let potential customers see how the components integrate with the rest of the undercarriage rather than looking at a static product on a wall.
The exclusive display status is intentional. Because the truck will eventually be sold, there's an extra layer of visibility — and perhaps urgency — that a typical booth demonstration does not provide. The fact that the first unit is on a truck that will be auctioned for charity also gives SEMA attendees a reason to stop by and learn about both the product and the cause.
The charity component is central to Project REBORN's identity. The Brett Boyer Foundation was founded in 2017 by Ellen and Bo Boyer after the loss of their daughter, Sadie Brett Boyer, who was diagnosed prenatally with Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect. She passed away after seven months, and the family has channeled that loss into advocacy and research support.
Congenital heart disease is one of the most common birth defects in the United States, but it receives a fraction of the research funding directed at other childhood conditions. The foundation works to close that gap by funding studies, supporting families, and building awareness among medical professionals who guide parents through a CHD diagnosis. It also promotes the strengths and dignity of people with Down syndrome, a community disproportionately affected by heart disease — half of babies born with Down syndrome also have congenital heart defects.
Tying a product debut to that mission adds a layer of meaning to the engineering. Officials from both NFI Empire and BDS have said that every component on the truck is meant to serve more than just function; each part is meant to amplify the effort to raise money and awareness.
Justin Fried, CEO of Newport Gold and NFI Empire, described the partnership as an opportunity to put cutting-edge suspension technology on a build that already carries a strong message. He said the project was designed to draw attention to the foundation's work and to celebrate the Down syndrome community.
Bryan Hart, of Sport Truck USA, the FOX Factory division that includes BDS, said the build brought together the heritage of an iconic American truck, modern engineering, and contributions from leading manufacturers. He said it was the kind of collaborative project the industry does best, and that the partnership had the potential to make a real difference beyond the products themselves.
BDS Suspension has been building lift kits and suspension systems since 1996. Based in Coldwater, Michigan, the company prides itself on in-house engineering and testing, with everything manufactured in the United States. Its "No Fine Print" warranty is one of the more customer-friendly offers in the industry, and the brand has a long history with truck and Jeep enthusiasts. BDS operates under Sport Truck USA, a division of FOX Factory.
NFI Empire, based in North East, Pennsylvania, is the wholly owned operating subsidiary of Newport Gold, Inc. (OTC:NWPG). Newport Gold previously held mining assets but has exited that business entirely; its operations now run through NFI Empire. The company focuses on exclusive custom builds, high-performance vehicles, and a technology platform it says will allow it to serve enthusiasts beyond the traditional shop floor.
With SEMA on the horizon, NFI Empire says it will continue posting progress updates as the build is completed. The auction at The Red Bird Games will mark the final chapter for this particular truck, but the technology inside it will continue beyond that event. BDS has not yet announced a full commercial release date for the rear air suspension system, but the public response at SEMA is likely to influence the rollout.
For now, the project shows how a classic truck can become a testbed for new ideas — and how the aftermarket industry can turn a product launch into something with a deeper meaning.
This article contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. securities laws, including statements related to future events and product releases. These statements are based on current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties. Newport Gold, Inc. has provided additional information about these risks in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
