Abstract: A method may secure a tailgate panel to a panel-carrying frame. A method may after securing the tailgate panel to the panel-carrying frame, secure a component-carrying frame to the panel-carrying frame. A method may after securing the component-carrying frame to the panel-carrying frame, secure one or more tailgate components to the component-carrying frame.

Abstract: A motor vehicle may include a body including an opening. The motor vehicle may also include a step including a deck. The motor vehicle may further include a linkage assembly configured to guide movement of the step between a stowed position and at least one deployed position. When the step is in the at least one deployed position, the step may be spaced-apart from a groundscape adjacent the motor vehicle. Further, the linkage assembly may include a first link configured such that at least a portion of the first link moves away from the opening as the step moves to the deployed position, and such that the first link is configured to provide a handhold when the step is in the at least one deployed position.

Abstract: A stair assembly for a vehicle includes a first support arm assembly and a second support arm assembly spaced apart from one another, a first step extending between the first support arm assembly and the second support arm assembly, and a second step extending between the first support arm assembly and the second support arm assembly. The first support arm assembly includes a fixed rail and a telescoping portion movable relative to the fixed rail. The first step and the second step are coupled to the telescoping portion such that extension of the telescoping portion moves the first step and the second step from a retracted position toward an extended position. The first step and the second step are pivotable relative to the first support arm assembly and the second support arm assembly to a staircase position in which step surfaces of the first step and the second step face upward.

Abstract: A cargo bed system includes a stair assembly that is movable between a stowed position and a staircase position relative to a vehicle structure. The stair assembly includes first and second support arm assemblies and first and a second steps. The first and second steps are configured to pivot together.

Abstract: A thermal enclosure assembly for a vehicle includes a container disposed in a compartment of the vehicle that selectively couples with a wall of the compartment. The container is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A tray couples with the wall and pivots between a folded position and an unfolded position to selectively enclose the container with the wall. The container is configured to move between the retracted position and the extended position when the tray is in the unfolded position.

Abstract: A method of forming a part for a vehicle. The method includes positioning a plurality of continuous fiber reinforcements within a mold cavity of a mold, filling the mold cavity including the plurality of continuous fiber reinforcements with molten resin, and injecting fluid into the mold cavity to hollow a center portion of the molten resin.

Abstract: A fluid connection for a vehicle includes a container selectively coupled with a compartment of the vehicle. The container includes at least one passage in fluid communication with an interior of the container. At least one port is disposed on the compartment and in fluid communication with a climate control system in the vehicle. The at least one passage is in fluid communication with the at least one port when the container is coupled with the compartment. The at least one port has an elongated cross-sectional area at a connection interface between the at least one port and the at least one passage.

Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including: a cargo area including a floor; a step including a deck; a guide assembly configured to guide movement of the step; a motor configured to move the guide assembly to adjust a position of the step; at least one sensor configured to obtain information indicative of a height of the deck relative to a groundscape adjacent the motor vehicle; and a controller configured to interpret the information from the at least one sensor to determine the height of the deck relative to the groundscape and the floor, and wherein the controller is configured to instruct the motor to adjust the position of the deck to be substantially halfway between the groundscape and the floor.

Abstract: A fluid connection for a vehicle includes a duct extending from a compartment wall of the vehicle. The duct defines a first channel and a second channel each in fluid communication with a climate control system of the vehicle. A container is selectively coupled with the duct and defines a receptacle configured to receive the duct to provide fluid communication between an interior of the container and the climate control system. At least one first aperture and at least one second aperture are each formed on the duct. The at least one first aperture fluidly interposes the interior and the first channel and the at least one second aperture fluidly interposes the interior and the second channel when the container is coupled with the duct.

Abstract: A thermal management system for a vehicle includes a connection interface that is coupled with a compartment of the vehicle and is in fluid communication with a climate control system of the vehicle. A container is movably disposed in the compartment and is in fluid communication with the climate control system via the connection interface. At least one alignment feature is coupled with the compartment and engages at least one sidewall of the container to align the container with the connection interface while the container moves in the compartment.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for a vehicle includes a container selectively coupled with a compartment of the vehicle. The container includes at least one first port in fluid communication with an interior of the container. At least one second port is disposed on a wall of the compartment and is in fluid communication with a climate control system in the vehicle. A connection assembly is between the container and the wall. The connection assembly includes a positioning feature configured to align the at least one first port with the at least one second port. The connection assembly further includes a securing feature configured to bias the container toward the wall when the container is coupled with the wall to maintain fluid communication between the interior and the climate control system.

Abstract: A method may secure a tailgate panel to a panel-carrying frame. A method may after securing the tailgate panel to the panel-carrying frame, secure a component-carrying frame to the panel-carrying frame. A method may after securing the component-carrying frame to the panel-carrying frame, secure one or more tailgate components to the component-carrying frame.

Abstract: A thermal management system for a vehicle includes a heat exchange unit coupled with a compartment of the vehicle via an interface in the compartment. A container is moveable between a first position and a second position. The container is configured to be in fluid communication with the heat exchange unit via the interface in the first position.

Abstract: A thermally managed storage system for a vehicle that includes a partition structure that couples with and is expandable in a compartment of the vehicle. The partition structure includes a first wall fixed with the compartment and a plurality of second walls that are each moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. The plurality of second walls forms a space between the first wall and the plurality of second walls in the extended position. A casing is disposed in a space and selectively couples with a climate control system of the vehicle via a fluid connection with the compartment.

Abstract: A thermal enclosure assembly for a vehicle includes a container disposed in a compartment of the vehicle that selectively couples with a wall of the compartment. The container is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A tray couples with the wall and pivots between a folded position and an unfolded position to selectively enclose the container with the wall. The container is configured to move between the retracted position and the extended position when the tray is in the unfolded position.

Abstract: A fluid connection for a vehicle includes a container selectively coupled with a compartment of the vehicle. The container includes at least one passage in fluid communication with an interior of the container. At least one port is disposed on the compartment and in fluid communication with a climate control system in the vehicle. The at least one passage is in fluid communication with the at least one port when the container is coupled with the compartment. The at least one port has an elongated cross-sectional area at a connection interface between the at least one port and the at least one passage.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for a vehicle includes a container selectively coupled with a compartment of the vehicle. The container includes at least one first port in fluid communication with an interior of the container. At least one second port is disposed on a wall of the compartment and is in fluid communication with a climate control system in the vehicle. A connection assembly is between the container and the wall. The connection assembly includes a positioning feature configured to align the at least one first port with the at least one second port. The connection assembly further includes a securing feature configured to bias the container toward the wall when the container is coupled with the wall to maintain fluid communication between the interior and the climate control system.

Abstract: A thermally managed storage system for a vehicle that includes a partition structure that couples with and is expandable in a compartment of the vehicle. The partition structure includes a first wall fixed with the compartment and a plurality of second walls that are each moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. The plurality of second walls forms a space between the first wall and the plurality of second walls in the extended position. A casing is disposed in a space and selectively couples with a climate control system of the vehicle via a fluid connection with the compartment.

Abstract: A fluid connection for a vehicle includes a duct extending from a compartment wall of the vehicle. The duct defines a first channel and a second channel each in fluid communication with a climate control system of the vehicle. A container is selectively coupled with the duct and defines a receptacle configured to receive the duct to provide fluid communication between an interior of the container and the climate control system. At least one first aperture and at least one second aperture are each formed on the duct. The at least one first aperture fluidly interposes the interior and the first channel and the at least one second aperture fluidly interposes the interior and the second channel when the container is coupled with the duct.

Abstract: A thermal management system for a vehicle includes a connection interface that is coupled with a compartment of the vehicle and is in fluid communication with a climate control system of the vehicle. A container is movably disposed in the compartment and is in fluid communication with the climate control system via the connection interface. At least one alignment feature is coupled with the compartment and engages at least one sidewall of the container to align the container with the connection interface while the container moves in the compartment.