Abstract: Technical methods described herein include a motor vehicle frame having an improved field of view. The motor vehicle frame includes a pillar body, such as an A-pillar, having an opening positioned between opposite sidewalls of the pillar body. A transparent material is disposed within the opening in the pillar body. The transparent material is selected from materials having a transmission coefficient of at least 50 percent for light in the infrared (IR), visible, and ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths and a refractive index between 1 and 2 for visible light, such as polymethylmethacralate (PMMA) or an optically transparent polycarbonate.

Abstract: A vehicle side body structure can secure a vibration-damping property of a body regardless of design specification by including a rear wheel house including a wheel house outer and a wheel house inner; a side sill extending forward from a front end of the wheel house outer; and an outer reinforcement extending in a vertical direction along a door opening edge from an intermediate portion in a front-rear direction of the wheel house outer. The wheel house outer includes: an outer overhang overhanging outward; and an outer flange extending upward from an inner end of the outer overhang. A reinforcing member is provided to cooperate with the outer overhang and the outer flange so as to define a closed cross section in a substantially triangular shape. The reinforcing member couples a rear end of the side sill and a lower end of the outer reinforcement.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle body side structure to reduce a center pillar in weight and suitably prevent deformation of the center pillar and separation of a stiffener from a roof side rail due to a side collision load. The vehicle body side structure includes a stiffener having a stiffener upper part provided above a central part in a height direction of a center pillar. The upper end of the stiffener upper part is joined to a roof side rail from an outer side in the vehicle width direction. The stiffener upper part has a trough extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle and recessed inward in the vehicle width direction. The trough 81d is recessed deeper as coming closer to a central part in the vertical direction of the stiffener upper part from the upper end and a lower end of the stiffener upper part.

Abstract: A side vehicle-body structure of a vehicle that suppresses displacement of a front wall portion of a center pillar to a vehicle-width-direction inner side with respect to a rear wall portion of the center pillar due to a side collision load. The side vehicle-body structure of the vehicle in which the center pillar does not exist on a body side includes a front door, and a rear door having a length in a front-rear direction shorter than a length of the front door in the front-rear direction. The rear door has a center pillar on a door side in a front portion, and a gusset member protruding from a rear wall portion of the center pillar to a door outer panel side with respect to an outer wall portion of the center pillar and having a receiving surface portion for a side collision load along the door outer panel.

Abstract: Either a front pillar, which is disposed on a front side of a vehicle and extends along a vertical direction, or a rear pillar, which is disposed on a rear side of the vehicle and extends along the vertical direction, includes a first frame, and a second frame which is disposed rearward of the first frame, and top portions of the first frame and the second frame extend along a longitudinal direction to constitute frames of a roof.

Abstract: A vehicle front structure includes a left-right pair of front pillars extending in an up-down direction and a left-right pair of upper members respectively connected to the front pillars at lower portions thereof and extending in a vehicle front-rear direction. Each front pillar includes a forward front pillar and a rearward front pillar extending in the up-down direction and has a front pillar inner part and a front pillar outer part. The front pillar inner part extends from a position located rearward of the corresponding upper member toward the corresponding rearward front pillar and includes an upper joining portion joined to the front pillar outer part, a vehicle width direction extending portion extending generally inward from the upper joining portion, and an up-down direction extending portion extending generally downward from the vehicle width direction extending portion.

Abstract: A front body of a vehicle includes an A-pillar lower part configured with an inner panel and an outer panel to make a single member. The A-pillar lower part extends downward from a front end of an A-pillar and has a reinforcement panel between the inner panel and the outer panel. The reinforcement panel extends in a longitudinal direction to divide an inside of the A-pillar lower part into two members.

Abstract: A structural automotive sub frame component (10) that is formed from a sheet molding compound having carbon fibers. The three dimensional structure is formed of a resin fiber mixture having a resin material infused with carbon fibers having a length of about 12.5 mm (0.5 inches) dispersed throughout the structural automotive sub frame component (10) and an even manner such that there are no resin rich areas or knit lines present. The absence of knit lines provides a structural automotive sub frame component (10) that has a high degree of flex modulus, tensile strength properties well also providing a greater breaking load property due to the absence of knit lines.

Abstract: To provide a vehicle side body structure capable of securing vibration suppression performance while suppressing an increase in body weight by a connecting member that connects an outer reinforcement and an inner reinforcement. The present invention includes: a rear wheel house configured to include a wheel house outer and a wheel house inner; an outer reinforcement cooperating with the wheel house outer to define a first closed cross section that extends in a vertical direction and is provided along a part of a rear door opening edge; and an inner reinforcement cooperating with the wheel house inner to define a second closed cross section that extends in the vertical direction. A connecting member is provided to fix a striker to the outer reinforcement and connect a front flange of the outer reinforcement and each of a front wall and a front flange of the inner reinforcement.

Abstract: A dimensionally stable B-pillar for an automotive vehicle including tailored material properties is provided. The B-pillar includes at least one localized soft zone surrounded by a hard zone. The hard zone typically has a yield strength of 950 MPa to 1700 MPa; a tensile strength of 1200 MPa to 2100 MPa; and an elongation of greater than 4%. The soft zones each have a yield strength of 340 MPa to 780 MPa; a tensile strength of 400 MPa to 980 MPa; and an elongation of greater than 10%. The microstructure of the hard zone is martensite, and the microstructure of the soft zones is tempered martensite, ferrite pearlite bainite, ferrite pearlite austenite, ferrite pearlite, ferrite bainite, cementite austenite, and/or cementite bainite. The soft zones of the B-pillar are manufactured with a slow cooling step, which can be conducted in air outside of the dies.

Abstract: To suppress such twisting of a side sill that an upper portion thereof is displaced inwardly with respect to a lower portion thereof during a lateral collision while suppressing a weight increase of the side sill, a vehicle side body structures includes: a side sill that has a closed cross-sectional space extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction; and a center pillar extending upward from the side sill. The center pillar is configured such that an upper direct upward portion located above a direct upward portion, which continues from the side sill and is located immediately above the side sill has a higher rigidity against an inward load than the direct upward portion. In the closed cross-sectional space, sections are provided in a front and/or rear portion of a center pillar arrangement region, in which the center pillar is located, in a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A method or apparatus to produce an L-shaped pressed component includes, where a portion of a blank, having tensile strength of 1180 MPa or more, is held in a state of being clamped by a blank holder and a die, and a portion of the blank, to be formed into a top plate is held in a state of being clamped by a pad and a punch; the second step where a vertical wall, a concave ridge and a flange on the inner side of a curved portion are formed by, bend forming with a bending die, forming one, two or more material inflow promoting portion; and the third step where the die is moved in a direction toward a side where the blank holder is disposed to form a vertical wall, a concave ridge, and a flange on the outer side of the curved portion by draw forming.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle body side structure including a partition member that is improved comparing a conventional structure in its partitioning property for foamable resin when the foamable resin is injected into a hollow portion of a center pillar. The vehicle body side structure of the present invention includes: a side sill extending in a vehicle front-rear direction; a center-pillar outer part extending upward on the side sill; a center-pillar inner part disposed inward in a vehicle width direction of the center-pillar outer part; the partition member placed in a hollow portion formed by the center-pillar outer part and the center-pillar inner part, and extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, wherein both of end portions of the partition member in the vehicle front-rear direction are inclined downward.

Abstract: A front pillar structure is provided with a pillar frame component that forms part of a front pillar, and with a pillar garnish that forms part of the front pillar, and that has a surface covering portion that extends substantially in the vehicle vertical direction and covers the pillar frame component from the vehicle cabin inner side, and an elastic body that is joined to a wall surface facing the pillar frame component of the surface covering portion, and that firmly grips inside itself the vehicle cabin inner-side flange portions of the first component and the second component.

Abstract: A side sill member includes a hollow member and a reinforcing member. The hollow member includes therein mutually facing first surface and second surface. The reinforcing member stands on the first surface or the second surface inside the hollow member. The reinforcing member is a tubular component having a polygonal cross section. A longest side of the polygonal cross section has a groove extending along an axial direction of the tubular component.

Abstract: A structural component for a motor vehicle body comprises: an outer panel with an outer wall and two outer flange portions; an inner panel with an inner wall and two inner flange portions; a reinforcing profile with a profile base, two profile walls opposite one another and two connecting portions connected thereto; wherein, in an upper pillar section, a maximum profile height of the reinforcing profile is greater than a maximum profile height of the outer panel, wherein the connecting portions of the reinforcing profile are supported against the inner wall, and wherein the connecting portions of the reinforcing profile are supported against the inner wall, and wherein the outer flange portions and the inner flange portions directly abut one another and are fixed to one another, wherein the connecting portions of the reinforcing profile are fixed, at least in a lower section of the structural component, between the outer flange portions and the inner flange portions.

Abstract: A press-hardened shaped metal sheet has at least two adjacent zones having different sheet thicknesses and different strengths such that one of the zones is press-hardened and the other zone is non-hardened or only slightly hardened. A transition zone, which is simultaneously designed as a thickness transition zone and as a strength transition zone, is located between the zones. The press-hardened shaped metal sheet is preferably a pillar reinforcement for a motor vehicle body.

Abstract: Methods for producing a three-dimensional vehicle door frame inner reinforcement element, for producing a vehicle door frame and for producing a vehicle reinforcement structure A method for producing a three-dimensional vehicle door frame inner reinforcement element (52) comprising an inner center pillar part (66), an inner front pillar part (68) and an inner side rail part (64) joining the inner center pillar part (66) and the inner front pillar part (68). The method comprises: providing an inner center pillar blank, an inner front pillar blank and an inner side rail blank, said inner blanks being substantially planar, assembling the inner center pillar blank and the inner front pillar blank to the inner side rail blank in order to form a substantially planar door frame inner reinforcement blank, hot stamping the door frame inner reinforcement blank to shape the three-dimensional door frame inner reinforcement element (52).

Abstract: A side frame comprises a center pillar which includes a reinforcement provided on an outward side in a vehicle width direction and an inner panel provided on an inward side in the vehicle width direction. The reinforcement comprises upper-and-lower hinge attachment sections for attaching rear-door hinges and first-and-second recessed beads for promoting bending of the center pillar in a vehicle side collision. The hinge attachment sections are provided to be spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction. The first recessed bead is provided at a higher level than the lower hinge attachment section. The second recessed bead is provided at a lower level than the lower hinge attachment section and configured to be bent before the first recessed bead in the vehicle side collision.

Abstract: In a rear opening structure of a vehicle, a roof panel and a trough are arranged on an upper end of an opening for coupling a back door. Each of left and right ends of a vertical wall of the roof panel in the width direction includes a welding point where the roof panel and the trough are welded to each other. Beads that extend in the vertical direction are provided such that each of the beads is arranged in a vicinity of one of the welding points of the left and right ends of the vertical wall and on an inner side of the one of the welding points of the left and right ends. An end of each bead in the vertical direction is connected to at least one of a rear end surface and a horizontal wall of the roof panel.

Abstract: A trim panel member for a vehicle includes a body portion and first and second arm portions connected to the body portion. The body portion is configured to be connected to a first structural member. The first arm portion is connected to the body portion and extends in a first direction from the body portion. The second arm portion is connected to the body portion and extends in a second direction from the body portion. The second body portion is configured to be connected to a second structural member. The second arm portion includes an outboard portion and an inboard portion. The outboard portion has a hook member configured to engage the second structural member. The hook member extends downwardly from the outboard portion. The inboard portion is configured to be spaced from the second structural member when the trim panel member is connected to the vehicle.

Abstract: A load distribution structure for a vehicle includes: a pair of front side members which are spaced apart from each other in a width direction of the vehicle on a front side of the vehicle; a pair of side sills respectively connected to the front side members; a pair of front pillars respectively connected to front ends of the side sills; a pair of connection members each connecting the front side members and the corresponding side sill along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; and a dash crossmember transversely connected to the pair of connection members. In particular, each front side member is overlapped and joined to the corresponding connection member, and end portions of the dash crossmember are overlapped and joined to the connection members, respectively.

Abstract: A device for reinforcing a structural element in a motor vehicle including: a reinforcing element which has a longitudinal axis and which is disposable in a cavity of the structural element, wherein the reinforcing element includes side walls which extend substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis, wherein a fastening element for the preliminary fixing of the reinforcing element to the structural element is disposed on a first side wall, wherein a side wall that is opposite the first side wall at a location that is opposite the fastening element has a closed surface for connecting to the structural element.

Abstract: A vehicle side structure includes a reinforcement extending upward from a rear wheel well, a side outer panel placed outward of the rear wheel well and the reinforcement in the vehicle width direction, a striker configured to lock a rear side door, and a bracket to which the striker is attached. An engaged portion is provided in the reinforcement, the striker is placed on an outer side of the side outer panel, and the bracket is provided with an engaging portion configured to engage with the engaged portion.

Abstract: A vehicle interior member which absorbs input energy of a load properly is provided. A center pillar trim includes a trim body configured to cover a center pillar, and an absorber provided between the trim body and the center pillar. The absorber includes: a plurality of horizontal ribs rising perpendicularly to a face of the trim body having their respective faces opposed to each other; a contact surface provided continuously across the plurality of ribs so as to oppose to a bead-shaped part, which is provided at the center pillar to partially bulge on the cabin side.

Abstract: The invention relates to a structural component for a motor vehicle, comprising an at least partially hollow profiled segment, which can be connected to a motor vehicle body by means of at least two fastening elements arranged in a fastening section. The problem addressed by the invention is that of increasing the crash safety of the structural component. This problem is solved in that a reinforcing element (6) is arranged in the fastening section between a lateral impact surface (16) and the fastening elements (4), which reinforcing element extends in the longitudinal direction of the profiled segment and, in the event of an impact from the impact surface, laterally comes into contact with the fastening means at least partially by means of displacement of the fastening elements, the impact energy thus being absorbed.

Abstract: A center pillar structure includes a pillar inner panel, a lower pillar outer panel disposed outward of the pillar inner panel in the vehicle-width direction, and an upper pillar outer panel disposed upward of the lower pillar outer panel in the vehicle-height direction. The lower pillar outer panel includes a side wall portion, a front wall portion connected to a front end of the side wall portion, and a rear wall portion connected to a rear end of the side wall portion. The upper pillar outer panel includes an overlapping portion overlapping the side wall portion, and the overlapping portion is provided at a lower end portion of the upper pillar outer panel in the vehicle-height direction. At least one of the front wall portion and the rear wall portion is provided with a linear bent portion extending in the vehicle-height direction.

Abstract: A pickup truck box assembly includes a truck bed, an inner side panel, and a D-pillar. The truck bed is secured on a rear edge to a rear cross-member. The inner side panel is mounted to the truck bed. The D-pillar includes an inner part secured to the cross-member and inner side panel, and an outer part secured to the inner part and disposed between an outer side panel and the inner part. The D-pillar inner part includes a U-shaped portion and a first flange extending rearward substantially ninety degrees from the U-shaped portion in a plane substantially parallel to the side panel and a second flange extending from the U-shaped portion outboard of the inner side panel.

Abstract: A frame member is a high-tensile steel member included in a frame. The frame is a part of a body structure of a body of an automobile. The frame member includes a plate-like attachment for abutting other member of the automobile. The attachment includes a welding part configured to be welded to the other member. The welding part is thinner than other parts of the attachment.

Abstract: A vehicle rear structure includes a rocker outer panel, a wheel house outer panel, a rocker outer extension that forms a closed section together with the wheel house outer panel, and a bulk disposed between the wheel house outer panel and the rocker outer extension. The bulk includes a first plate portion, a flange portion provided in an inner end portion of the first plate portion in a vehicle width direction, and a flange portion provided in an outer end portion of the first plate portion in the vehicle width direction. The flange portion on the inner side in the vehicle width direction is joined to the wheel house outer panel, and the flange portion on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is joined to the rocker outer extension.

Abstract: A vehicle pillar structure includes: a pair of frame components that faces each other across a gap in a width direction of a vehicle pillar, each of the pair of frame components having a closed cross-section and extending in a longitudinal direction of the pillar, and a butt weld portion is provided at a gap side and at a vehicle exterior side at at least one frame component; a transparent component that is formed so as to be transparent and that is mounted at a vehicle exterior side of the pair of frame components; an interior garnish component that covers the pair of frame components from a vehicle cabin side; and a cover component that is disposed at the gap so as to be separated at a vehicle exterior side from the interior garnish component, and that covers the butt weld portion.

Abstract: A vehicle frame structure includes a front pillar having an internal space defined by a forward wall, a rear wall, an outer lateral side wall, and an inner lateral side wall. The internal space is partitioned by longitudinally extending first and second ribs connecting inside faces of the forward and rear walls and a laterally extending third rib connecting an inside face of the inner side wall and the first rib. The first, second and third ribs separate the front pillar into a plurality of interior hollow portions. Two laterally adjacent hollow portions define an outer lateral portion of the front pillar and two longitudinally adjacent hollow portions define an inner lateral portion of the front pillar.

Abstract: A vehicular pillar structure including: a first front pillar garnish, a first pillar being extended substantially along a vehicle vertical direction; a second front pillar garnish and a second pillar being extended substantially along the vehicle vertical direction, a transparent member that is bridged between the first pillar and the second pillar; an extended portion that is provided on the vehicle interior side and on a vehicle upper side of the transparent member, is formed in a plate shape whose plate thickness direction is a substantially vehicle width direction, and is extended from an upper end portion of the second front pillar garnish to an upper end portion of the first front pillar garnish; and an upper lid member provided to cover a space between a lower end portion of the extended portion and the transparent member, and is configured as a separate body from the second front pillar garnish.

Abstract: A pillar structure of a vehicle including a glass attachment surface configured to have a windshield of the vehicle or a rear window of the vehicle attached thereto, a side part outer surface configured to have an upper edge of the fender panel extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicle connected thereto downwardly, a protruding corner portion configured to be provided to protrude to the fender panel along a pillar extending direction at a corner of a lower end on the side part outer surface on the glass attachment surface side such that an angle formed by a protruding direction and the upper edge of the fender panel is in a predetermined acute angle range in a side view, and a recess bead configured to be formed on the glass attachment surface along the protruding corner portion.

Abstract: A vehicle rear structure includes: an impact beam; a rocker outer rear and a rocker inner rear extending upward from a rear portion of a rocker; a rear wheel house outer including a front portion extending in the vehicle front-rear direction and placed between the rocker outer rear and the rocker inner rear; and a bulk. The bulk includes: a first wall provided between the rocker outer rear and the rocker inner rear and joined to the rocker outer rear; a second wall bending from the first wall to extend toward the rocker inner rear; and a third wall placed at a position where the third wall at least partially overlaps with the impact bean as viewed in a vehicle width direction, the third wall being bending from the second wall and joined to the front portion of the rear wheel house outer.

Abstract: In a vehicle front structure including a cowl top side, a front pillar, and a side member outer, an upper wall portion of an inner of the cowl top side is provided with an inclined portion provided continuously with a top face portion extending downward toward the front side in the vehicle front-rear direction from a boundary portion between the side member outer and a base of the front pillar, and a flat portion connected to a front face portion along the vehicle up-down direction in the side member outer in a state where the flat portion is brought into surface contact with the front face portion of the side member outer.

Abstract: An article comprising: (a) a carrier having a predetermined shape to guide one or more expansion directions of an injection molded expandable material; (b) the injection molded expandable material on the carrier; wherein the expandable material is formed on the carrier at one or more angles perpendicular to the one or more expansion directions; and wherein the expandable material is capable of being activated to expand under an activation condition to come into contact with, and adhere to one or more walls defining a cavity in order to at least partially fill the cavity.

Abstract: A vehicular pillar structure including: a first pillar which is included in a part of a front pillar, and extends along a generally upward and downward direction of a vehicle, and to which a front windshield glass is bonded; a second pillar which is included in another part of the front pillar, is arranged on a rear side of the vehicle at a predetermined spacing from the first pillar, and extends along a generally upward and downward direction of the vehicle; a transparent member with which the first pillar and the second pillar are bridged, and through which an exterior of the vehicle is visible from a driver side; and a molding which is disposed in at least a peripheral portion closer to the front windshield glass in the transparent member, and includes a bond portion that attaches the transparent member to at least the first pillar, and a closure portion that closes a gap between the transparent member and the front windshield glass is provided.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a B-pillar central beam made of steel which comprises hard zones and soft zones. Such soft zones have less mechanical strength than the hard zones. The B-pillar central beam further comprises an upper region with a fastening portion for fastening to a roof member, and a lower region with a fastening portion for fastening to a sill member. The B-pillar central beam includes two soft zones. A lower soft zone is located between the lower fastening portion and 50% of the B-pillar central beam height, and an upper soft zone is located between the upper fastening portion and 50% of the B-pillar central beam height. The upper soft zone has higher mechanical strength than the lower soft zone. Methods for manufacturing such B-pillar central beam are also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle side portion structure that includes: a rocker provided at a vehicle width direction outer side end portion of a lower portion of a vehicle body, the rocker extending in a vehicle front-and-rear direction; and a pillar that extends in a vehicle vertical direction, a lower end portion of the pillar being joined to the rocker. A bellows portion is provided at the lower end portion of the pillar. The bellows portion is provided at a vehicle upper side of a joining portion of the pillar with the rocker, and protrusions and recesses are formed in the bellows portion to alternate in the vehicle vertical direction.

Abstract: A vehicle body may include a front pillar vehicle extending in the height direction of the vehicle and positioned forwardly along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a rear pillar vehicle extending in the height direction of the vehicle and positioned reward along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a roof side member extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to couple with the front pillar and the rear pillar and disposed on both first and second sides along the width direction of the vehicle; and at least one roof rail extending along the width direction of the vehicle to connect the roof side members on both first and second sides, achieving a stable and robust upper vehicle body with only two pillars.

Abstract: A pillar structure for a vehicle including: a pillar main body portion that is provided at a vehicle front portion and extends in a vehicle vertical direction, the pillar main body portion including a pair of pillar framework portions with chamber structures and a plate-shaped transparent member, the pair of pillar framework portions being disposed spaced apart in a vehicle front-and-rear direction, and the transparent member being attached to vehicle outer sides of the pair of pillar framework portions and isolating a vehicle cabin interior from a vehicle cabin exterior; and a reinforcing member provided with a pair of base portions and a transparent bridging portion, the base portions being respectively attached to vehicle inner sides of the pair of pillar framework portions and extending in the vehicle vertical direction along the pillar framework portions, and the bridging portion partially bridging between the pair of base portions.

Abstract: The invention provides a hot press machine which reduces the cooling time of a superposed member and enhances the productivity. A hot press machine of the invention includes a first die, a second die disposed on the first die, a first refrigerant flow passage for guiding a refrigerant into the first die or the second die, a plurality of grooves formed in a press forming surface of the first die or the second die, and a second refrigerant flow passage for guiding a refrigerant into the grooves. The hot press machine performs press forming and quenching by pressing a superposed member between the first die and the second die, the superposed member comprising a first steel sheet and a second steel sheet superposed and joined on the first steel sheet.

Abstract: A pillar for a vehicle is disclosed that includes an outer panel, an inner panel, and an extruded reinforcement attached between the inner and outer panels. The reinforcement extends from an upper end of the inner panel to a striker attachment area on the outer panel. A lower end of the reinforcement is trimmed to be spaced from the inner panel. The inner panel may be full height of the pillar or may extend from the rocker to the striker area where the inner panel overlaps the reinforcement. The reinforcement above the striker area may function as the inner panel above the striker area. A method is disclosed for making a B-pillar for a vehicle.

Abstract: A method includes forming a glass structure that has a peripheral edge, wherein an exterior surface of the glass structure includes a compound curvature. The method also includes fractionalizing the glass structure to define a primary portion and one or more panels, wherein the primary portion includes a front window area, a roof area, and a rear window area, and connecting the primary portion and the one or more panels to a body of a vehicle.

Abstract: A top for a Jeep type vehicle is provided having a rear cargo area and parallel spaced roll bars. The top includes parallel spaced apart C pillars, each C pillar including front and rear vertical columns, the rear columns having a perpendicularly connected seat belt pass-through. The C pillars also have bottom plates connecting the front and rear columns that extend beyond the rear column. A top plate connects the front and rear columns together. The C pillars include pivotally connected sealing plates for sealing a top end of a rear door, the sealing plates being connected to the roll bars. A vertical rear window extending between said C pillar rear columns is provided, the rear window having a cutout portion for allowance of passage of a seat belt therethrough. A fabric cover providing a top deck extends over said front and rear seating portion of said vehicle and also covers the C pillars. A tonneau cover is provided for covering the rear cargo area providing a flat surface enclosure over the cargo area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a hot-formed and quench-hardened tubular motor vehicle component (7) by way of internal high-pressure forming, a metallic starting material being at least partially heated to a heating temperature, in particular to a temperature above Ac3, being subjected to internal high-pressure forming in the hot state, and subsequently being quenched, preferably quench-hardened, wherein the internal high-pressure forming is performed as high-speed forming in a time of between 1 and 30 seconds, and the still-hot, formed motor vehicle component (7) is transferred into at least one separate quenching tool (5, 10) and is in particular quench-hardened, the motor vehicle component (7) being braced in a fixed position in the quenching tool (5, 10) and the cycle time of the quenching tool (5, 10) corresponding to the cycle time of the internal high-pressure forming.

Abstract: A center pillar structure comprises a center pillar including a center pillar outer panel. The center pillar outer panel includes a pillar upper portion that constitutes an upper portion of the center pillar outer panel and is bonded to a roof side rail, and a pillar lower portion that constitutes a lower portion of the center pillar outer panel and is bonded to a rocker. The pillar lower portion includes a pillar lower main body portion having a tensile strength which is lower than a tensile strength of the pillar upper portion, and a high-strength portion that is disposed on the pillar lower portion and extends in the vehicle height direction, the high-strength portion having a tensile strength which is higher than the tensile strength of the pillar lower main body portion.

Abstract: A vehicle body includes a rocker panel elongated along an axis. The vehicle body includes a pillar fixed to the rocker panel and elongated in a direction transverse to the axis. The rocker panel includes a first flange and a second flange. The first flange and the second flange are on opposite sides of the pillar and spaced from each other in a direction parallel to the axis. The vehicle body includes a reinforcement fixed to the first and second flanges.

Abstract: A forming tool and a method of operating thereof for producing a hollow component by sheet-metal forming is disclosed having an upper tool and a lower tool, a mandrel that is driven into the hollow component to be formed and an auxiliary mandrel that is repositionable relative to the mandrel are positioned on the upper tool. The mandrel and the auxiliary mandrel are coupled to the upper tool by one spring-elastic actuation element in such a manner that the mandrel, when the upper tool is being lowered, is driven into the hollow component to be formed and comes to bear therein. A further lowering of the upper tool causes a compression of the coupling element, and the auxiliary mandrel carrying out a movement relative to the mandrel and being driven further into the hollow component.