Abstract: A sun visor assembly for a vehicle that includes a mount configured to be connected to the vehicle. A guide rod having a first portion that includes a head and a second portion with a terminal end is operably coupled to the mount via the head. An impact point is at the terminal end of the second portion. The guide rod and the impact point are configured for use as a window breaker tool in a disassembled position. A visor is operably coupled to the guide rod in an assembled position and is rotatable about the guide rod from a first position to a second position. The visor includes a channel defined within the visor that is configured to receive the guide rod.

Abstract: An automotive panel assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a first panel, a second panel, and a flange of the first panel folded over an edge region of the second panel to hem together the first and second panels. The flange of the first panel includes a textured geometry that interlocks with a textured geometry of the edge region.

Abstract: An assembly for securing a tailgate to a cargo bed includes, among other things, a strap having a first leg spaced from a second leg, and a fastener moveable to an engaged position with the strap. The fastener in the engaged position extends through a first aperture in the first leg to threadably engage a second aperture in the second leg. When the fastener is in the engaged position, the fastener and the strap are configured to secure a tailgate to a cargo bed.

Abstract: A battery box for an electric vehicle includes an Al casting that extends between and joins to a BIW or chassis rails of the electric vehicle. The Al casting includes a bottom wall, a side wall with a pair of rails that are securely attached to the BIW or chassis rails of the vehicle, and a plurality of cross members. The bottom wall, the side wall, and the plurality of cross members define a structural enclosure with a plurality of battery compartments and at least one crush zone, and the structural enclosure is load bearing member of the electric vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a hood of a vehicle open during e-coat application and painting. The apparatus includes a support incorporating first and second pairs of legs attached to spaced locations on right and left sides of an engine compartment. The two pairs of legs are connected at an upper portion of the legs. A hood support bar is connected to the upper portion of both the first and second pairs of legs and extends transversely across the engine compartment. A hood striker receiving bracket may be provided on the hood support bar. The apparatus is adjustable to position the hood striker receiving bracket in a range of vertical, transverse and longitudinal locations. The adjustability of the apparatus provides a flexible hood support that reduces thermal distortion or sag due to thermal load.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a bump stop assembly for a motor vehicle. An example assembly includes a head configured to contact a hood of the motor vehicle when the hood is closed, a shaft, and a base configured to fit in an opening in a panel of the motor vehicle. The shaft supports the head relative to the base. Further, the base includes a notch configured to provide a fracture location of the base.

Abstract: An assembly for securing a tailgate to a cargo bed includes, among other things, a strap having a first leg spaced from a second leg, and a fastener moveable to an engaged position with the strap. The fastener in the engaged position extends through a first aperture in the first leg to threadably engage a second aperture in the second leg. When the fastener is in the engaged position, the fastener and the strap are configured to secure a tailgate to a cargo bed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a bump stop assembly for a motor vehicle. An example assembly includes a head configured to contact a hood of the motor vehicle when the hood is closed, a shaft, and a base configured to fit in an opening in a panel of the motor vehicle. The shaft supports the head relative to the base. Further, the base includes a notch configured to provide a fracture location of the base.

Abstract: An automotive panel assembly includes, among other things, a first panel, a second panel, a flange of the first panel folded over an edge region of the second panel to hem together the first and second panel, and a dimple of the flange extending into an aperture within the edge region of the second panel. At least a portion of the aperture is exposed.

Abstract: An automotive panel assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a first panel, a second panel, and a flange of the first panel folded over an edge region of the second panel to hem together the first and second panels. The flange of the first panel includes a textured geometry that interlocks with a textured geometry of the edge region.

Abstract: An automotive panel assembly includes, among other things, a first panel, a second panel, a flange of the first panel folded over an edge region of the second panel to hem together the first and second panel, and a dimple of the flange extending into an aperture within the edge region of the second panel. At least a portion of the aperture is exposed.

Abstract: A leaf screen for an air intake of an HVAC system of a vehicle having a hood covering an engine compartment. The leaf screen includes a leaf screen body defining an air inlet opening covered by an integrally molded screen. A seal is integrally molded on a top surface of the leaf screen body in front of the air inlet opening. Bump-stops are integrally molded on the top surface that are engaged by an inner panel of the hood when closed. A method of making the leaf screen includes injecting a polymeric material into a mold to form a body portion. At least one elastomeric material is injected into the mold on one side of the body portion to form a seal and a plurality of bump-stops.

Abstract: An end cap for a gas assist strut according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a body providing a socket, a spring clip having ends projecting into the socket, and a lever. The lever is arranged such that application of pressure to the lever draws the ends of the spring away from one another. This disclosure also relates to a motor vehicle including the subject end cap. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An active anti-flutter system is provided for a motor vehicle. That active anti-flutter system includes an electromagnet on a first component, a ferromagnetic target on a second component and a controller. The controller is configured to energize the electromagnet to generate a magnetic flux that attracts the ferromagnetic target toward the electromagnet thereby reducing vibration of one of the first component and the second component. A method of reducing flutter of a closure panel on a motor vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a hood of a vehicle open during e-coat application and painting. The apparatus includes a support incorporating first and second pairs of legs attached to spaced locations on right and left sides of an engine compartment. The two pairs of legs are connected at an upper portion of the legs. A hood support bar is connected to the upper portion of both the first and second pairs of legs and extends transversely across the engine compartment. A hood striker receiving bracket may be provided on the hood support bar. The apparatus is adjustable to position the hood striker receiving bracket in a range of vertical, transverse and longitudinal locations. The adjustability of the apparatus provides a flexible hood support that reduces thermal distortion or sag due to thermal load.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a hood of a vehicle open during e-coat application and painting. The apparatus includes a support incorporating first and second pairs of legs attached to spaced locations on right and left sides of an engine compartment. The two pairs of legs are connected at an upper portion of the legs. A hood support bar is connected to the upper portion of both the first and second pairs of legs and extends transversely across the engine compartment. A hood striker receiving bracket may be provided on the hood support bar. The apparatus is adjustable to position the hood striker receiving bracket in a range of vertical, transverse and longitudinal locations. The adjustability of the apparatus provides a flexible hood support that reduces thermal distortion or sag due to thermal load.

Abstract: A vehicle puddle lamp assembly is provided herein. The vehicle puddle lamp assembly includes a housing having a housing retainer. A light source is supported by the housing. A cover is removably coupled to a base portion of the housing. An optical member is disposed between the housing and the cover. The optical member may include an image filter thereon. The image filter is configured to form a desired image pattern on a surface proximate the housing.

Abstract: A vehicle puddle lamp assembly is provided herein. The vehicle puddle lamp assembly includes a housing having a housing retainer. A light source is supported by the housing. A cover is removably coupled to a base portion of the housing. An optical member is disposed between the housing and the cover. The optical member may include an image filter thereon. The image filter is configured to form a desired image pattern on a surface proximate the housing.

Abstract: A leaf screen for an air intake of an HVAC system of a vehicle having a hood covering an engine compartment. The leaf screen includes a leaf screen body defining an air inlet opening covered by an integrally molded screen. A seal is integrally molded on a top surface of the leaf screen body in front of the air inlet opening. Bump-stops are integrally molded on the top surface that are engaged by an inner panel of the hood when closed. A method of making the leaf screen includes injecting a polymeric material into a mold to form a body portion. At least one elastomeric material is injected into the mold on one side of the body portion to form a seal and a plurality of bump-stops.

Abstract: Adjustable mount apparatus for use with vehicles and related methods are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a mount for a vehicle. The mount has a first portion to receive an object to be carried by the mount and a second portion that is pivotably coupled to the first portion. The second portion is to slidably couple to a right or left side of the vehicle.