A vehicle assembly method includes assembling a chassis platform, mounting a floor pan to the platform, mounting a modular interior to the floor pan, assembling a body top-hat separate from the platform and the floor pan, and mounting the body top-hat to the platform and the floor pan after mounting the modular interior to the floor pan.

A vehicle lower structure includes: a battery pack having first and second battery units and a battery cover; and a fuel tank that is arranged on a vehicle rear side to be higher than the first and second battery units. At positions under a floor panel, the first and second battery units are arranged on both sides in a vehicle width direction of a propeller shaft. The battery cover has a coupling section that couples first and second battery accommodation sections. The coupling section couples the first and second battery accommodation sections such that a vehicle rear side thereof is higher than the first and second battery accommodation sections, extends in the vehicle width direction at a position above the propeller shaft, and is arranged next to a vehicle front side of the fuel tank.

A vehicle lower structure includes: a battery pack having first and second battery units and a battery cover; and a fuel tank that is arranged on a vehicle rear side to be higher than the first and second battery units. At positions under a floor panel, the first and second battery units are arranged on both sides in a vehicle width direction of a propeller shaft. The battery cover has a coupling section that couples first and second battery accommodation sections. The coupling section couples the first and second battery accommodation sections such that a vehicle rear side thereof is higher than the first and second battery accommodation sections, extends in the vehicle width direction at a position above the propeller shaft, and is arranged next to a vehicle front side of the fuel tank.

A beam assembly includes a first beam that has a first tubular portion and a first projecting portion that extends from the first tubular portion. A second beam has a second tubular portion and a second projecting portion that extends from the second tubular portion. The elongated interior of the first tubular portion defines a first hollow area and the elongated interior of the second tubular portion defines a second hollow area. The first beam is attached to the second beam with the first projecting portion attached to the second tubular portion and the second projecting portion attached to the first tubular portion to define a third hollow area between the first and second projecting portions.

An exhaust system member is provided on a vehicle-width-direction outer side relative to a vehicle body structure such as a side sill, while avoiding widening of the vehicle, enhancing shock absorption performance during a collision, and maintaining rigidity of the vehicle body. Embodiments include an engine disposed forward of a vehicle cabin, an engine exhaust system, and a hinge pillar extending vertically. The exhaust system includes a first exhaust system member beside the hinge pillar in the vehicle front-rear direction from the vehicle-width-direction outer side of the hinge pillar and extending forward of the hinge pillar, a second exhaust system member rearward of the hinge pillar, and a connection part connecting these exhaust system members. The connection part has a smaller length in the vehicle width direction than at least one of the first and second exhaust system members, and overlaps with the hinge pillar in the vehicle front-rear direction.

A floor structure for a vehicle includes: a center floor; a plurality of longitudinal members attachably disposed on a top surface of the center floor; a plurality of seat rails disposed in the plurality of longitudinal members, respectively; and a battery assembly arranged under the center floor.

A tray (20) including a bottom wall (21) and a peripheral side wall (22) erected from an outer periphery of the bottom wall (21) includes a high-strength portion HT having a high tensile strength; and a low-strength portion LT having a tensile strength lower than that of the high-strength portion HT. The low-strength portion LT includes a recessed portion (C) having a corner portion (22C) in a first side wall inner surface (221a) and a second side wall inner surface (222a) which are adjacent to each other at a minor angle and a corner section (21C) on an upper surface (21a) of the bottom wall (21) having a minor angle to each of the first side wall inner surface (221a) and the second side wall inner surface (222a).

A tray (20) including a bottom wall (21) and a peripheral side wall (22) erected from an outer periphery of the bottom wall (21) includes a high-strength portion HT having a high tensile strength; and a low-strength portion LT having a tensile strength lower than that of the high-strength portion HT. The low-strength portion LT includes a recessed portion (C) having a corner portion (22C) in a first side wall inner surface (221a) and a second side wall inner surface (222a) which are adjacent to each other at a minor angle and a corner section (21C) on an upper surface (21a) of the bottom wall (21) having a minor angle to each of the first side wall inner surface (221a) and the second side wall inner surface (222a).

A motor vehicle, in particular an at least partly electrically driven motor vehicle, has a battery device with at least one battery cell. The battery device is arranged in a floor region of the motor vehicle and has a protective device for protecting the battery device from mechanical action. The protective device has a protective plate, which is arranged in such a way that it covers the battery device at least in some regions, so that any mechanical actions are absorbed by the protective plate. The protective device also has an acoustic monitoring device, which monitors the protective plate acoustically and with which a signal can be output when a noise characteristic of a mechanical impairment of the protective plate is registered. Also disclosed is a method for monitoring the protective device.

A method for manufacturing a pressed component including an elongated top plate, a wall having one end connected to a short direction end portion of the top plate, that curves with a convex shape bowing toward an opposite side to the top plate as viewed from an upper side of the top plate, and that includes a sharp curve portion, and a flange that is connected to another end of the wall, and that extends in a plate thickness direction of the wall toward the opposite side to the top plate side. The manufacturing method includes pressing to form an intermediate formed component including a preliminary flange and pressing to deform the preliminary flange to form the preliminary flange into the flange.