Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body including a front pillar and a rear pillar spaced from the front pillar. The vehicle body includes a rocker extending from the front pillar to the rear pillar. The vehicle includes a step bar supported by the rocker. The step bar extends from a first end aligned with the front pillar to a second end aligned with the rear pillar. The step bar is movable between a raised position and a lowered position. In the raised position, the step bar overlaps the rocker in a vehicle-outboard direction. The step bar extends upwardly above the rocker.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body including a front pillar and a rear pillar spaced from the front pillar. The vehicle body includes a rocker extending from the front pillar to the rear pillar. The vehicle includes a step bar supported by the rocker. The step bar extends from a first end aligned with the front pillar to a second end aligned with the rear pillar. The step bar is movable between a raised position and a lowered position. In the raised position, the step bar overlaps the rocker in a vehicle-outboard direction. The step bar extends upwardly above the rocker.

Abstract: A mid-gate assembly includes a mid-gate and a first access panel received in the mid-gate. A window pocket extends through the mid-gate and the first access panel. Further, a window is displaceable between an extended position projecting from the mid-gate and a retracted position held in the window pocket.

Abstract: A cage assembly is provided to protect a battery pack in a vehicle. The cage assembly includes a top sub-assembly and a bottom sub-assembly that are secured together to protect the battery pack. U-shaped frames and base frames are connected together by tubular members. A method of making a cage for a battery pack of a vehicle is provided. The method may include assembling a first plurality of spaced tubes and a plurality of spaced inverted U-shaped frames to from a first sub-assembly. The method may also include assembling a second plurality of spaced tubes and a plurality of spaced frames to form a second sub-assembly. The first sub-assembly and the second sub-assembly may be assembled together to enclose the battery pack.

Abstract: A method is provided for lowering a tailgate of a motor vehicle when that motor vehicle is hitched to a trailer having a component that interferes with the lowering of the tailgate. The method comprises the steps of displacing a section of the tailgate to form a clearance opening in the tailgate, folding the tailgate into a lowered position and accommodating the component of the trailer in the clearance opening when the tailgate is folded and lowered. Various tailgate assemblies for performing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mid-gate assembly includes a mid-gate and a first access panel received in the mid-gate. A window pocket extends through the mid-gate and the first access panel. Further, a window is displaceable between an extended position projecting from the mid-gate and a retracted position held in the window pocket.

Abstract: A cage assembly is provided to protect a battery pack in a vehicle. The cage assembly includes a top sub-assembly and a bottom sub-assembly that are secured together to protect the battery pack. U-shaped frames and base frames are connected together by tubular members. A method of making a cage for a battery pack of a vehicle is provided. The method may include assembling a first plurality of spaced tubes and a plurality of spaced inverted U-shaped frames to from a first sub-assembly. The method may also include assembling a second plurality of spaced tubes and a plurality of spaced frames to form a second sub-assembly. The first sub-assembly and the second sub-assembly may be assembled together to enclose the battery pack.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure is disclosed that comprises a pair of rear rails, a bumper beam and a spare tire compartment including a spare tire. The rear rails have a rear segment aligned with the bumper beam, a middle segment disposed above the rear segment and a front segment that extends downwardly from the middle segment. After a 50 mph 70% Movable Deformable Barrier rear impact test, the spare tire compartment including the spare tire hinges downwardly to create added crush space and the middle section is raised upwardly to reduce the extent of intrusions into the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure is described that includes a pair of rear rails, a bumper beam and a spare tire compartment including a spare tire. The rear rails have a rear segment aligned with the bumper beam, a middle segment disposed above the rear segment and a front segment that extends downwardly from the middle segment. After a 50 mph 70% Movable Deformable Barrier rear impact test, the spare tire compartment including the spare tire hinges downwardly to create added crush space and the middle section is raised upwardly to reduce the extent of intrusions into the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A cage assembly is provided to protect a battery pack in a vehicle. The cage assembly includes a top sub-assembly and a bottom sub-assembly that are secured together to protect the battery pack. U-shaped frames and base frames are connected together by tubular members.

Abstract: A sleeve is attached to a tubular longitudinal bar that extends around a control arm for the rear suspension of a vehicle. The tubular longitudinal bar is generally U-shaped with a first leg attached to a frame rail in front of the control arm and a second leg connected to the frame rail behind the control arm. The first and second legs are joined by a middle portion. A bend is formed between the first leg and the middle portion. The tubular sleeve is attached to the tubular longitudinal bar at the bend and extends partially along the first leg and the middle portion. The tubular sleeve is disposed between the control arm and a fuel tank of a vehicle that is located between the rear wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: A cage assembly is provided to protect a battery pack in a vehicle. The cage assembly includes a top sub-assembly and a bottom sub-assembly that are secured together to protect the battery pack. U-shaped frames and base frames are connected together by tubular members.