Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes a door housing configured for covering a vehicle access opening. A frame member is disposed within the door housing. A module includes an intrusion beam coupled to the frame member and removable from the door housing. The module is configured to accept attachment of a module hinge and a module latch to provide a secondary door assembly. A modular vehicle door assembly and a method of assembling a door assembly to a vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes a door housing configured for covering a vehicle access opening. A frame member is disposed within the door housing. A module includes an intrusion beam coupled to the frame member and removable from the door housing. The module is configured to accept attachment of a module hinge and a module latch to provide a secondary door assembly. A modular vehicle door assembly and a method of assembling a door assembly to a vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes a door housing configured for covering a vehicle access opening. A frame member is disposed within the door housing. A module includes an intrusion beam coupled to the frame member and removable from the door housing. The module is configured to accept attachment of a module hinge and a module latch to provide a secondary door assembly. A modular vehicle door assembly and a method of assembling a door assembly to a vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes a door housing configured for covering a vehicle access opening. An intrusion beam is within the door housing. A module is received on the intrusion beam and removable from the door housing. A module hinge assembly is attachable to the module. A module latch assembly is attachable to the module for securing the module to extend across the vehicle access opening.

Abstract: A motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a rear bumper including a section configured to support a license plate, a spare tire carrier, and a light assembly mounted to the spare tire carrier. The light assembly is configured to illuminate the section of the rear bumper. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly including a vehicle body and a roof assembly is provided. The vehicle body may include a mid-pillar having a receiving region. The roof assembly may include a mid-pillar segment having an attachment end. The receiving region may be defined by a cutout having a base portion spaced from an adjacent vehicle body surface. The attachment end may be sized for disposal within the cutout for one or more fasteners to removably secure the mid-pillar segment to the mid-pillar. The receiving region and the attachment end may be arranged with one another such that the roof assembly is removably attachable adjacent a belt line of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle roof structure including a plurality of roof support pillars that include a plurality of receptacles on an outer surface of the pillars. The receptacles are adapted to receive a connector for securing an article to a vehicle either directly or by means of a tie down strap. A spider roof structure or conventional roof structure are disclosed that may include either X-shaped receptacle openings or a T-track slot. Articles may be directly secured to the receptacles or slots on the outer surface of the pillars or may be connected to the roof or side outer walls of the pillar by tie down straps.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body, a removable roof, and a removable seatbelt post. The body has a pillar that includes a pillar receptacle. The removable roof has a roof pillar adapted to be received within the pillar receptacle and removably fastened to the pillar in a first configuration. The removable seatbelt post includes a first portion having a seatbelt ring. The removable seatbelt post further includes a second portion adapted to be received within the pillar receptacle and removably fastened to the pillar in a second configuration.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly including a vehicle body and a roof assembly is provided. The vehicle body may include a mid-pillar having a receiving region. The roof assembly may include a mid-pillar segment having an attachment end. The receiving region may be defined by a cutout having a base portion spaced from an adjacent vehicle body surface. The attachment end may be sized for disposal within the cutout for one or more fasteners to removably secure the mid-pillar segment to the mid-pillar. The receiving region and the attachment end may be arranged with one another such that the roof assembly is removably attachable adjacent a belt line of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body, a removable roof, and a removable seatbelt post. The body has a pillar that includes a pillar receptacle. The removable roof has a roof pillar adapted to be received within the pillar receptacle and removably fastened to the pillar in a first configuration. The removable seatbelt post includes a first portion having a seatbelt ring. The removable seatbelt post further includes a second portion adapted to be received within the pillar receptacle and removably fastened to the pillar in a second configuration.

Abstract: Methods of processing an air-quenchable aluminum alloy component are provided. The method may include solution heat treating the component, air-quenching the component, and artificially aging the component to a yield strength of at least 200 MPa. The air-quenching may include cooling at a rate of 6° C./s to 25° C./s. The solution heat treatment may include heat treating the component at a temperature of 520° C. to 540° C. and the artificial aging step may include heat treating the component at 235° C. to 255° C. for 0.5 to 2 hours. The disclosed methods may produce a high strength (e.g., over 200 MPa) and high bendability (e.g., r/t ratio up to 0.3) component that does not significantly distort during the quenching process. The disclosed methods may be used to produce structural components having complex shapes, such as multiple, non-coplanar mating surface, while staying within predetermined tolerances.

Abstract: A motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a rear bumper including a section configured to support a license plate, a spare tire carrier, and a light assembly mounted to the spare tire carrier. The light assembly is configured to illuminate the section of the rear bumper. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes a door housing configured for covering a vehicle access opening. An intrusion beam is within the door housing. A module is received on the intrusion beam and removable from the door housing. A module hinge assembly is attachable to the module. A module latch assembly is attachable to the module for securing the module to extend across the vehicle access opening. A modular vehicle door assembly and method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes a door housing configured for covering a vehicle access opening. A frame member is disposed within the door housing. A module includes an intrusion beam coupled to the frame member and removable from the door housing. The module is configured to accept attachment of a module hinge and a module latch to provide a secondary door assembly. A modular vehicle door assembly and a method of assembling a door assembly to a vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle underbody including a rear underbody structure, a rear differential, a sub-frame, and a traction battery is provided. The rear differential is mounted to the rear underbody structure. The sub-frame is mounted to the rear underbody structure rearward of the rear differential. The traction battery is mounted between the rear underbody structure and the sub-frame. A base portion of the traction battery defines a base portion plane that does not extend through the rear differential. The sub-frame may include at least two reinforcement members each having a ramp-shaped end extending toward the rear differential. The sub-frame may include a rear lateral member and a trailer hitch mount extending rearwardly therefrom. One of the reinforcement members and the trailer hitch mount may be aligned in parallel with a central longitudinal axis defined by the rear underbody structure.

Abstract: A vehicle underbody including a rear underbody structure, a rear differential, a sub-frame, and a traction battery is provided. The rear differential is mounted to the rear underbody structure. The sub-frame is mounted to the rear underbody structure rearward of the rear differential. The traction battery is mounted between the rear underbody structure and the sub-frame. A base portion of the traction battery defines a base portion plane that does not extend through the rear differential. The sub-frame may include at least two reinforcement members each having a ramp-shaped end extending toward the rear differential. The sub-frame may include a rear lateral member and a trailer hitch mount extending rearwardly therefrom. One of the reinforcement members and the trailer hitch mount may be aligned in parallel with a central longitudinal axis defined by the rear underbody structure.

Abstract: A vehicle roof structure including a plurality of roof support pillars that include a plurality of receptacles on an outer surface of the pillars. The receptacles are adapted to receive a connector for securing an article to a vehicle either directly or by means of a tie down strap. A spider roof structure or conventional roof structure are disclosed that may include either X-shaped receptacle openings or a T-track slot. Articles may be directly secured to the receptacles or slots on the outer surface of the pillars or may be connected to the roof or side outer walls of the pillar by tie down straps.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided herein. The vehicle includes a tailgate adapted to pivotally latch to a vehicle cargo box. A tie-down member having a base portion is coupled to a lateral side of the tailgate assembly. The tie-down member further includes a retaining portion extending from the base portion. The retaining portion may include first and second substantially parallel channels.

Abstract: A roof structure is disclosed for a vehicle that comprises a roof bow including a wall forming part of an exterior roof surface of the vehicle. The wall defines a keyhole opening that is adapted to receive a retainer. A channel is provided on the wall below the keyhole opening that forms a water drain below the keyhole opening with a lower surface of the wall extending over the water drain. A retainer including an anchor portion and an accessory attachment portion extends upwardly from the anchor portion through the slot and is retained in the channel by the flanges.

Abstract: A roof structure is disclosed for a vehicle that comprises a roof bow including a wall forming part of an exterior roof surface of the vehicle. The wall defines a keyhole opening that is adapted to receive a retainer. A channel is provided on the wall below the keyhole opening that forms a water drain below the keyhole opening with a lower surface of the wall extending over the water drain. A retainer including an anchor portion and an accessory attachment portion extends upwardly from the anchor portion through the slot and is retained in the channel by the flanges.