Abstract: The present invention provides a rear impact absorption system for a motor vehicle. The rear impact absorption system includes a rear body assembly including longitudinally extending rear rails including first and second portions having first and second respective heights relative to a generally horizontal plane, the first height being greater than the second height. The invention further provides a neutralizing member connectable to bridge the first and second heights of each rear rail so as to minimize the effect of a moment arm created by the first and second heights during a rear impact.

Abstract: A reinforcement configuration is provided for an automotive body panel which is particularly useful in the reinforcement of vertical planar surfaces through which tooling holes are formed. In the invention reinforcement, a depression is formed about a tooling hole which includes certain lower surfaces formed to avoid the funneling of liquid coating such as paint which are typically applied to the vertically extending surface and the production of automotive vehicle bodies. Funneling is prevented either through providing a surface dispersing vertically running paint or by providing a reservoir for collecting vertically running paint.