Abstract: A vehicle of unibody construction includes a left rail, right rail, first kickup member, and second kickup member. A left transition portion of the left rail extends inboard and upward from a left forward portion to a left rear portion. A right transition portion of the right rail extends inboard and upward from the right forward portion to the right rear portion. A left end of the first kickup member is coupled to the left forward portion and a right end of the first kickup member is coupled to the right forward portion. The second kickup member is rearward of the first kickup member. A left end of the second kickup member is coupled to at least one of the left forward and left transition portions. A right end of the second kickup member is coupled to at least one of the right forward and right transition portions.

Abstract: A hybrid structural assembly for a motor vehicle includes a casting and a structural inlay. The casting includes a plurality of structural components joined together in a casting process to form structural load paths and extending in a plurality of directions in a 3D space. The casting includes a cast-allowable alloy material. The structural inlay is secured to at least one of the structural components. The structural inlay includes a material having at least one of a higher ductility and a higher toughness than the cast-allowable alloy material.

Abstract: A structural assembly for use in an electric vehicle having a lower body frame and a battery pack secured within the lower body frame. The structural assembly includes a subframe rear mount, a battery cage longitudinal member, a rocker, a hinge pillar, and a rail torque unit. The battery cage longitudinal member is secured to the subframe rear mount. The rocker extends along and is secured to the battery cage longitudinal member. The hinge pillar includes a lower portion that is secured to the rocker. The rail torque includes an s-brace and an inner rail. The s-brace is secured to the hinge pillar at one end and to the inner rail at another end. The inner rail is secured to the hinge pillar at one end and is configured to extend around a wheel of the electric vehicle and form a portion of a wheel well.

Abstract: A hybrid structural assembly for a motor vehicle includes a casting and a structural inlay. The casting includes a plurality of structural components joined together in a casting process to form structural load paths and extending in a plurality of directions in a 3D space. The casting includes a cast-allowable alloy material. The structural inlay is secured to at least one of the structural components. The structural inlay includes a material having at least one of a higher ductility and a higher toughness than the cast-allowable alloy material.

Abstract: A structural assembly for use in an electric vehicle having a lower body frame and a battery pack secured within the lower body frame. The structural assembly includes a subframe rear mount, a battery cage longitudinal member, a rocker, a hinge pillar, and a rail torque unit. The battery cage longitudinal member is secured to the subframe rear mount. The rocker extends along and is secured to the battery cage longitudinal member. The hinge pillar includes a lower portion that is secured to the rocker. The rail torque includes an s-brace and an inner rail. The s-brace is secured to the hinge pillar at one end and to the inner rail at another end. The inner rail is secured to the hinge pillar at one end and is configured to extend around a wheel of the electric vehicle and form a portion of a wheel well.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle that includes a windshield and a frame. In addition, the vehicle includes a first pillar that extends from one side of the windshield. The first pillar includes a first wall and a second wall coupled to the first wall. The first pillar also includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first interior support coupled to the first wall and a second interior support coupled to the second wall. Further, the first interior support includes a first end which is spaced from a second end in the second portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle that includes a windshield and a frame. In addition, the vehicle includes a first pillar that extends from one side of the windshield. The first pillar includes a first wall and a second wall coupled to the first wall. The first pillar also includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first interior support coupled to the first wall and a second interior support coupled to the second wall. Further, the first interior support includes a first end which is spaced from a second end in the second portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle that includes a windshield and a frame. In addition, the vehicle includes a first pillar that extends from one side of the windshield. The first pillar includes a first wall and a second wall coupled to the first wall. The first pillar also includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first interior support coupled to the first wall and a second interior support coupled to the second wall. Further, the first interior support includes a first end which is spaced from a second end in the second portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle that includes a windshield and a frame. In addition, the vehicle includes a first pillar that extends from one side of the windshield. The first pillar includes a first wall and a second wall coupled to the first wall. The first pillar also includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first interior support coupled to the first wall and a second interior support coupled to the second wall. Further, the first interior support includes a first end which is spaced from a second end in the second portion.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a pair of frame rails elongated along a longitudinal axis, each of the frame rails having a downward deformation zone, the frame rails bendable at the downward deformation zones from a first position to a second position beneath the first position. The vehicle includes a tire supported between the pair of frame rails at the downward deformation zones. The vehicle includes a spare tire retention member supported between the pair of frame rails forward of the downward deformation zones.

Abstract: A method includes simulating an impact between a simulated wheel and a simulated vehicle assembly, the simulated vehicle assembly including a simulated vehicle component that is a computer-aided-design model of a vehicle component. The method includes determining, based on the simulated impact, an impact angle between the simulated wheel and the simulated vehicle assembly. The method includes impacting an impactor with the vehicle component at the impact angle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a pair of frame rails elongated along a longitudinal axis, each of the frame rails having a downward deformation zone, the frame rails bendable at the downward deformation zones from a first position to a second position beneath the first position. The vehicle includes a tire supported between the pair of frame rails at the downward deformation zones. The vehicle includes a spare tire retention member supported between the pair of frame rails forward of the downward deformation zones.

Abstract: An assembly includes an inner rail and a rocker rail outboard of the inner rail. The assembly includes a torque box having a first panel fixed to the inner rail and the rocker rail, a second panel fixed to the inner rail and the rocker rail, and a third panel fixed to the inner rail and the rocker rail.

Abstract: An assembly includes a hinge pillar having an inner member and an outer member. The assembly includes a brace between the inner member and the outer member, the brace having a side portion fixed to the outer member and a front portion fixed to the inner member.

Abstract: An assembly includes an inner rail and a rocker rail outboard of the inner rail. The assembly includes a torque box having a first panel fixed to the inner rail and the rocker rail, a second panel fixed to the inner rail and the rocker rail, and a third panel fixed to the inner rail and the rocker rail.

Abstract: An assembly includes a hinge pillar having an inner member and an outer member. The assembly includes a brace between the inner member and the outer member, the brace having a side portion fixed to the outer member and a front portion fixed to the inner member.

Abstract: A method includes simulating an impact between a simulated wheel and a simulated vehicle assembly, the simulated vehicle assembly including a simulated vehicle component that is a computer-aided-design model of a vehicle component. The method includes determining, based on the simulated impact, an impact angle between the simulated wheel and the simulated vehicle assembly. The method includes impacting an impactor with the vehicle component at the impact angle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body having a first rail and an upper rail spaced from the first rail. The upper rail has a base portion and a top prong and a bottom prong each extending from the base portion. The vehicle includes a bumper connected to the first rail and to the top prong, and a subframe connected to the bottom prong.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a floor panel, a door frame, a cross-member, and a load transmittal bracket. The door frame and the cross-member are fixed relative to the floor panel. The door frame defines a door opening. The load transmittal bracket is disposed between the door opening and the cross-member. The load transmittal bracket includes a second segment welded to a first segment and to the floor panel. During a side impact of the vehicle, the load transmittal bracket transfers impact force from the door frame to the cross-member to dissipate the impact force and reduce deformation of the floor.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body having a first rail and an upper rail spaced from the first rail. The upper rail has a base portion and a top prong and a bottom prong each extending from the base portion. The vehicle includes a bumper connected to the first rail and to the top prong, and a subframe connected to the bottom prong.