Both Optimus and Bumblebee could be seen driving around the Speed Stars logo in vehicle mode. Speed Stars commercials

Before he was known as Optimus Prime, he is sometimes an archivist known as Optronix, and other times a Senator called Orion Pax.Optimus Prime was gathered in Axiom Nexus by its Optimus Prime, along with a roster of other Optimus Primes and their kin in a group known as the Convoy. A multiversal cataclysm in a universe seeded with Rarified Energon and an invasion by evil Autobots from the negative polarity universe had called them into action. Since Matrix bearers were usually never allowed into Axiom Nexus, this was a grave threat indeed! Invasion Prologue

Hot Shot, grievously injured, was regenerated into a new body by the power of Primus. His Cybertron Defense body so happened to have a sword with it. Sometimes he slotted it into his wrist, other times he held it.In the director's commentary of the 2007 Transformers DVD, Michael Bay said that he had told the animators to seek inspiration from Liam Neeson in creating Optimus Prime's body language. Awesome. Forged by the ancients, this weapon was revered as a symbol of kings and a product of the gods. Recognizing Optimus Prime as a knight, the Sword of Judgment provides Prime the edge he needs to defeat the Decepticons once and for all. Transformers Online