A method for producing a motor vehicle and a correspondingly produced motor vehicle having a modular construction, in which a substructure and at least one superstructure module are produced independently of one another and are subsequently permanently connected together.

A bolt includes a threaded shaft and a bolt head. The threaded shaft has a first end, a second opposing end, and an external thread. The first end includes a flared protrusion and the external thread is wrapped about the shaft and extends from the second opposing end to the flared protrusion. The bolt head includes an interior threaded bore for threadingly engaging the external thread of the threaded shaft, a front surface, and an opposing back surface having a recess configured to receive at least a portion of the flared protrusion of the threaded shaft therein.

A thread-forming screw which is provided in particular for thin, perforated sheet metal contains a threaded shank which below the screw head is initially configured so as to be cylindrical and then continues to a conical forming portion. The screw shank within the forming portion has a rib forming an incomplete counter thread.

A fastener system, which includes a fastener with an RFID tag secured to the fastener, wherein the RFID tag includes an antenna communicatively coupled to an integrated circuit which includes a memory. The fastener system further includes an operating system device, which transmits a command signal containing logistics data to the antenna of the RFID tag wherein the antenna receives the command signal and communicates the command signal containing the logistics data to the integrated circuit.

A bolt includes a threaded shaft and a bolt head. The threaded shaft has a first end, a second opposing end, and an external thread. The first end includes a flared protrusion and the external thread is wrapped about the shaft and extends from the second opposing end to the flared protrusion. The bolt head includes an interior threaded bore for threadingly engaging the external thread of the threaded shaft, a front surface, and an opposing back surface having a recess configured to receive at least a portion of the flared protrusion of the threaded shaft therein.

A spacer insert for providing spacing between a first structure and a second structure includes a head having a diameter larger than an opening in the first structure to which the spacer insert is attachable, a hollow cylindrical shaft coupled with and extending from the head that defines at least part of a connector channel, and a thread on an exterior of the hollow cylindrical shaft. The spacer insert provides a better thread engagement, is more economical to install, and is more reliable in service.

A fastener system, which includes a fastener with an RFID tag secured to the fastener, wherein the RFID tag includes an antenna communicatively coupled to an integrated circuit which includes a memory. The fastener system further includes an operating system device, which transmits a command signal containing logistics data to the antenna of the RFID tag wherein the antenna receives the command signal and communicates the command signal containing the logistics data to the integrated circuit.

A fastener assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The fastener assembly comprises a fastener configured to couple a first component to a second component of the motor vehicle, the fastener comprising a shank configured to be received within a bore of the first component; and a retaining member, the retaining member being couplable to the fastener and the first component, the retaining member comprising an opening configured to receive the fastener shank and to provide a resistance against the removal of the fastener shank from the bore of the first component, wherein the retaining member comprises a deformable portion configured to deform from a first state to a second state by virtue of the operating environment of the first component such that the fastener may be removed from the bore when the deformable portion is in the second state following operation of the motor vehicle.

A fastener assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The fastener assembly comprises a fastener configured to couple a first component to a second component of the motor vehicle, the fastener comprising a shank configured to be received within a bore of the first component; and a retaining member, the retaining member being couplable to the fastener and the first component, the retaining member comprising an opening configured to receive the fastener shank and to provide a resistance against the removal of the fastener shank from the bore of the first component, wherein the retaining member comprises a deformable portion configured to deform from a first state to a second state by virtue of the operating environment of the first component such that the fastener may be removed from the bore when the deformable portion is in the second state following operation of the motor vehicle.

A fastening tool system includes a housing including a main body having a proximal end and a distal end. The main body defines an internal chamber extending between a proximal opening at the proximal end and a distal opening at the distal end. A plunger includes a stem that extends into the internal chamber through the proximal opening. The plunger is configured to be moved in relation to the main body between a retracted position and an extended position. A securing stud is in a collapsed position when the plunger is in the retracted position. The plunger is configured to move into the extended position to engage the securing stud to expand the securing stud into an expanded position.