Abstract: The present disclosure provides a moveable touch pad that opens out of a center console armrest and is operable to control a navigation unit or other vehicle functions. Advantageously, locating a control touch pad unit in the center console armrest provides an ergonomically desirable solution for the vehicle's driver. The touch pad can be stored in the vehicle's center console armrest, and the touch pad is configured to move fore and aft for comfortable driver access. Additionally, the control touch pad unit can be utilized to control other vehicle functions, such as audio, climate settings, odometer settings, lighting, mobile phones, and the like.

Abstract: An interior armrest for a sliding door assembly of a motor vehicle having a hollow housing that is pivotally movable about a pivot axis between a horizontal position for use as an armrest and a vertical position for storage is disclosed. The housing includes an actuator for automatically moving the armrest to the vertical position from the horizontal position as the sliding door moves between the closed and the open position. The armrest is disposed within a recess of the sliding door assembly when in the vertical position.

Abstract: A center console for a instrument panel includes a housing having a display region and an actuation mechanism associated with the housing. The actuation mechanism permits movement of the housing relative to the instrument panel.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a moveable touch pad that opens out of a center console armrest and is operable to control a navigation unit or other vehicle functions. Advantageously, locating a control touch pad unit in the center console armrest provides an ergonomically desirable solution for the vehicle's driver. The touch pad can be stored in the vehicle's center console armrest, and the touch pad is configured to move fore and aft for comfortable driver access. Additionally, the control touch pad unit can be utilized to control other vehicle functions, such as audio, climate settings, odometer settings, lighting, mobile phones, and the like.

Abstract: An interior armrest for a sliding door assembly of a motor vehicle having a hollow housing that is pivotally movable about a pivot axis between a horizontal position for use as an armrest and a vertical position for storage is disclosed. The housing includes an actuator for automatically moving the armrest to the vertical position from the horizontal position as the sliding door moves between the closed and the open position. The armrest is disposed within a recess of the sliding door assembly when in the vertical position.

Abstract: A center console for a instrument panel includes a housing having a display region and an actuation mechanism associated with the housing. The actuation mechanism permits movement of the housing relative to the instrument panel.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a closure panel movable between an open position and a closed position and a fascia disposed adjacent to the closure panel and movable between a closed position and an open position. The fascia is articulated into the open position prior to the closure panel being moved from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A powertrain arrangement for selectively operating a vehicle in a skid-steer configuration is provided. The arrangement includes an engine coupled to a differential. A first torque transfer mechanism is coupled to a coupling mechanism and arranged to drive a first set of wheels on a side of the vehicle orientated parallel to a wheelbase of the vehicle. A second torque transfer mechanism is coupled to the differential and arranged to drive a second set of wheels on an opposite side of the vehicle. The coupling mechanism is coupled to the differential and includes a rotation selector arranged to selectively engage an output of the differential to provide a torque input to the first torque transfer mechanism of a direction so as to drive the first set of wheels in one of a same and an opposite direction as the second set of wheels.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided having a steering system for selectively operating the vehicle in a zero-steer configuration. The system includes a forward steering assembly coupled to a steering wheel and a forward set of wheels. The forward steering assembly is arranged to receive an input from the steering wheel and includes a selectively actuateable forward motorized mechanism. A rear steering assembly is coupled to a rear set of wheels and includes a rearward motorized mechanism. Upon selective activation, the forward motorized mechanism is arranged to engage the forward steering assembly and rotate the forward set of wheels toward a centerline of the vehicle and the rearward motorized mechanism is arranged to engage the rearward steering assembly and rotate the rearward set of wheels toward the vehicle centerline such that the wheels are positioned to allow the vehicle to turn about a central point of the vehicle in a zero-steer configuration.

Abstract: An arrangement for expanding a cargo box of a pick-up truck vehicle is provided. The arrangement includes a wall that defines a cabin space on an internal side and a cargo box end on an external side, and the wall is arranged to be translateable from a first position to a second position. A latch mechanism is provided and attached to the wall. The latch mechanism is arranged to maintain the wall in the first position. A release mechanism is coupled to the latch mechanism and arranged to selectively release the wall from the first position such that the wall can translate into the cabin and towards a front of the vehicle to a second position and extend a length of the cargo box.

Abstract: A split solid axle arrangement for a vehicle is provided that is arranged to impart a downward force on a wheel of the vehicle. The axle arrangement includes an axle member coupled to a wheel hub at one end and an axle gear member at another end. A drive shaft is attached at one end to a torque transfer mechanism and at another end to a shaft gear member. The drive shaft is orientated perpendicular to the axle member and the shaft gear member is arranged to engage the axle gear member so as to transfer torque from the torque transfer mechanism to the axle member and drive the wheel hub. The drive shaft is arranged to rotate in a direction so as to provide a downward force on the wheel through a transfer of torque from the torque transfer mechanism to the wheel hub.

Abstract: A seat arrangement for a cabin of a pick-up truck vehicle is provided. The seat arrangement includes a seat bottom member having a latch mechanism attached thereto. The latch mechanism is arranged to maintain the seat bottom member in a deployed seating position. A release mechanism is coupled to the latch mechanism and arranged to selectively release the seat bottom member from the deployed seating position. A track mechanism is attached to the seat bottom member and extends beyond a rear wall of the cabin into an adjoined cavity such that when the seat bottom member is selectively released, the seat bottom member can move along the track mechanism to a stowed position in the cavity adjoined to the cabin.

Abstract: A powertrain arrangement for selectively operating a vehicle in a skid-steer configuration is provided. The arrangement includes an engine coupled to a differential. A first torque transfer mechanism is coupled to a coupling mechanism and arranged to drive a first set of wheels on a side of the vehicle orientated parallel to a wheelbase of the vehicle. A second torque transfer mechanism is coupled to the differential and arranged to drive a second set of wheels on an opposite side of the vehicle. The coupling mechanism is coupled to the differential and includes a rotation selector arranged to selectively engage an output of the differential to provide a torque input to the first torque transfer mechanism of a direction so as to drive the first set of wheels in one of a same and an opposite direction as the second set of wheels.

Abstract: An arrangement for expanding a cargo box of a pick-up truck vehicle is provided. The arrangement includes a wall that defines a cabin space on an internal side and a cargo box end on an external side, and the wall is arranged to be translateable from a first position to a second position. A latch mechanism is provided and attached to the wall. The latch mechanism is arranged to maintain the wall in the first position. A release mechanism is coupled to the latch mechanism and arranged to selectively release the wall from the first position such that the wall can translate into the cabin and towards a front of the vehicle to a second position and extend a length of the cargo box.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided having a steering system for selectively operating the vehicle in a zero-steer configuration. The system includes a forward steering assembly coupled to a steering wheel and a forward set of wheels. The forward steering assembly is arranged to receive an input from the steering wheel and includes a selectively actuateable forward motorized mechanism. A rear steering assembly is coupled to a rear set of wheels and includes a rearward motorized mechanism. Upon selective activation, the forward motorized mechanism is arranged to engage the forward steering assembly and rotate the forward set of wheels toward a centerline of the vehicle and the rearward motorized mechanism is arranged to engage the rearward steering assembly and rotate the rearward set of wheels toward the vehicle centerline such that the wheels are positioned to allow the vehicle to turn about a central point of the vehicle in a zero-steer configuration.

Abstract: A seat arrangement for a cabin of a pick-up truck vehicle is provided. The seat arrangement includes a seat bottom member having a latch mechanism attached thereto. The latch mechanism is arranged to maintain the seat bottom member in a deployed seating position. A release mechanism is coupled to the latch mechanism and arranged to selectively release the seat bottom member from the deployed seating position. A track mechanism is attached to the seat bottom member and extends beyond a rear wall of the cabin into an adjoined cavity such that when the seat bottom member is selectively released, the seat bottom member can move along the track mechanism to a stowed position in the cavity adjoined to the cabin.