Abstract: Accordingly, the present invention is an automotive vehicle frame including a forward portion, a rear portion and a central portion disposed between the forward portion and the rear portion. Either one of the forward and rear portions include at least one rail extending longitudinally. The rail includes a first structural member having an open cross-section and marginal flanges. The rail also includes a second structural member closing the open cross-section of the first structural members. The second structural member includes edge portions disposed over and in abutting relationship with the marginal flanges.

Abstract: A filament-reinforced plastic composite tube or tubular component is adapted to be load bearing and to more efficiently absorb energy by stable collapse in the event of axially compressive impact. The tubular component has at least one substantially planar wall comprising coplanar laminations of filament-reinforced plastic, wherein at least a portion of the filaments are non-oriented material such as graphite or glass and extend axially substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube. The tubular component is characterized in that the tube is provided at one end with a collapse trigger means adapted to promote stable, energy absorbing collapse of the tube. Specifically, the tube wall has a bevelled end surface forming at least one apex substantially normal to the plane of the aforesaid coplanar laminations. Each bevelled end surface is at an angle of about 5.degree.-40.degree. to a line coplanar with the laminations and perpendicular to the axially extending filaments thereof.