Instrument panel side parts are provided integrally with an instrument panel main body part. Vehicle-mounted components are housed in the instrument panel side parts. Thus, even in a vehicle in which an engine compartment is not provided on a vehicle front side in a vehicle cabin it is possible to ensure a housing space for these vehicle mounting parts. Further, the instrument panel side parts are provided integrally with the instrument panel main body part. Thus, compared to a case in which the instrument panel side parts are separated from the instrument panel main body part, a space around the driver's seat can be expanded by the reduced amount of dead space, and the comfortability of the driver can be ensured.

A front vehicle-body structure of a vehicle is provided that allows for lower deceleration (so-called G) for occupants in the event of an oblique collision, which involves the largest load input, while restraining a load in a shear direction from being input to connecting portions of frames. A front vehicle-body structure of a vehicle includes a suspension housing formed with a suspension damper supporting portion, an upper arm supporting portion, and a lower arm supporting portion. A plurality of frames connecting the suspension housing and a vehicle cabin structural member are provided, and at least one frame of the plurality of frames is configured to be facilitated to break in a Z-shape in vehicle plan view in the event of an oblique collision.

A frame assembly for a motor vehicle that may include a first load beam, a second load beam, and a frame rail that are configured for receipt and transfer of energy to a sill that can move the sill in a downward direction. A counterbalancing load beam that includes a first fixed end is attached to the first load beam and a second fixed end is attached to the frame rail. The counterbalancing load beam is configured for receipt of at least a portion of the energy applied to the first load beam, and the counterbalancing load beam is configured to transfer the energy received from the first load beam to the frame rail such that the transfer of energy to the sill that can move the sill in the downward direction is counterbalanced by the energy transferred by the counterbalancing load beam to the frame rail.

A frame assembly for a motor vehicle that may include a first load beam, a second load beam, and a frame rail that are configured for receipt and transfer of energy to a sill that can move the sill in a downward direction. A counterbalancing load beam that includes a first fixed end is attached to the first load beam and a second fixed end is attached to the frame rail. The counterbalancing load beam is configured for receipt of at least a portion of the energy applied to the first load beam, and the counterbalancing load beam is configured to transfer the energy received from the first load beam to the frame rail such that the transfer of energy to the sill that can move the sill in the downward direction is counterbalanced by the energy transferred by the counterbalancing load beam to the frame rail.

The rear frame includes an inclined part that is inclined inward in, a vehicle width direction in going rearward and a horizontal part that extends rearward from a rear end of the inclined part. A rear part of the side sill includes a first enlarged width portion that increases in width inwardly in the vehicle width direction via a bent portion. A front part of the rear frame inclined part includes a second enlarged width portion that increases in width outwardly in the vehicle width direction. A rear end of the first enlarged width portion and a front end of the second enlarged width portion are connected. An inner wall in the vehicle width direction of the first enlarged width portion and an inner wall in the vehicle width direction of the inclined part are linearly continuous in plan view.

An assembly includes a pair of frame rails, each of the frame rails elongated along a vehicle-longitudinal axis and having a front portion, a rear portion, and an elevated portion above and between the front portion and the rear portion. The assembly includes a cross-support fixed to at least one of the frame rails at the elevated portion and extending along a cross-vehicle axis from one of the frame rails toward the other of the frame rails. The assembly includes a bracket fixed to the frame rail at the elevated portion and fixed to the cross-support.

A rear vehicle-body structure for suppressing deformation of a corner portion of a lift gate opening is provided, including a pair of left and right inner wheel wells having damper supports; and a framework member on a rear side of the inner wheel wells forming an opening edge of a back door opening. The framework member includes a header extending in a vehicle width direction forming an upper end edge of the back door opening; and pillars extending from the header to a vehicle lower side via corner portions of the back door opening. A pair of gussets connect rear portions of the inner wheel wells and the pillars to each other; a pair of connecting members connect the rear portions of the inner wheel wells and places near the corner portions to each other; and the gussets and the connecting members are joined at places near the damper supports.

A vehicle engine cradle structure includes a front member, a rear assembly and a side member. The front member extends in a vehicle lateral direction and has a first outboard end and a second outboard end. The rear assembly extends in the vehicle lateral direction and has a first outboard area and a second outboard area opposite the first outboard area. The first side member has a first forward end, a first rearward end and a first forward outboard portion all being formed as a single monolithic unitary element. The first forward end is fixedly attached to the first outboard end of the front member. The first rearward end is fixedly attached to the first outboard area of the rear assembly. The first forward outboard portion extends in an outboard direction from the first outboard end of the front member defining an off-center impact area.

A structural reinforcement, utilized to reinforce a structural joint of a vehicle, and method of reinforcing a structural joint of a vehicle. The structural reinforcement having a clamshell structure comprising two complimentary halves. The structural reinforcement further comprising an activatable composition.

A structural reinforcement, utilized to reinforce a structural joint of a vehicle, and method of reinforcing a structural joint of a vehicle. The structural reinforcement having a clamshell structure comprising two complimentary halves. The structural reinforcement further comprising an activatable composition.