A wheel arch for housing at least one wheel of a vehicle and for attachment to a chassis of a vehicle is described. The wheel arch comprises a load bearing mounting point, wherein the wheel arch is configured to receive, in use, forces at the load bearing mounting point from a vehicle component mounted at the load bearing mounting point. A vehicle and a method of assembling a vehicle comprising the wheel arch is also described.

Presented are protective covers for weldable fasteners, methods for making/using such cover-protected weldable fasteners, and motor vehicles with such covered fasteners welded to load-bearing structural members. A weldable fastener assembly includes a fastener, such as a weld-on nut or clip retainer, that is fabricated with a shank and a flange. One end of the shank has a fastener hole that receives therethrough a mating fastener, such as a bolt, screw, stud, or clip. The flange is formed, in whole or in part, from a weldable material for welding to a load-bearing panel or other structural support member. The flange may be integrally formed with and project radially outward from the shank. A protective cover is attached to the flange and covers the fastener hole. The protective cover is frangible and formed, in whole or in part, from a material designed to withstand the temperature at which the weldable material melts.

A rocker panel molding includes an outer panel including a front integral hinge that is bendable along a first straight line extending along a vehicle length on a lower end of a front portion of the outer panel and a rear integral hinge that is bendable along a second straight line extending along the vehicle length on a lower end of a rear portion of the outer panel, a front foldable panel configured to be folded at the front integral hinge and fixed to a rocker panel, and a rear foldable panel configured to be folded at the rear integral hinge and fixed to the rocker panel.

A rocker panel molding includes an outer panel including a front integral hinge that is bendable along a first straight line extending along a vehicle length on a lower end of a front portion of the outer panel and a rear integral hinge that is bendable along a second straight line extending along the vehicle length on a lower end of a rear portion of the outer panel, a front foldable panel configured to be folded at the front integral hinge and fixed to a rocker panel, and a rear foldable panel configured to be folded at the rear integral hinge and fixed to the rocker panel.

A reinforcing element for reinforcing structural elements including at least one channel on an outer side. The outer side forms a shoulder next to the channel. Furthermore, the reinforcing element is provided for forming an open system in terms of an adhesion of the reinforcing element in the structural element, wherein, in a use state of the reinforcing element in the structural element, a space is formed between the shoulder of the reinforcing element and the structural element, which is open relative to an adjacent cavity of the structural element.

One aspect is an apparatus including a plurality of additively manufactured components each having an adhesive injection channel. The components are connected together such that adhesive injection channels are aligned to form an adhesive path that allows adhesive flow between the components. Another aspect is an apparatus, including an additively manufactured component having an adhesive injection channel and an adhesive flow mechanism comprising at least one of an adhesive side end effector or a vacuum side end effector, the adhesive flow mechanism configured to provide adhesive to the adhesive injection channels.

An automotive vehicle has a skateboard platform and a vehicle body that is attached to the skateboard platform or chassis. The sides of the vehicle body are formed using a structural frame, made up of multiple structural sub-frames that give structural integrity to the sides of the vehicle body and to which body panels are attached. Each structural sub-frame is directly attached to the skateboard platform or chassis.

A structural mount assembly for a roof panel of a vehicle. The structural mount assembly includes an exterior bracket and a plurality of interior brackets. The exterior bracket is secured to an exterior surface of the roof panel. The exterior bracket includes a plurality of stanchions for mounting a sensor structure. The plurality of interior brackets are disposed on an interior surface of the roof panel and being secured to the exterior bracket through the roof panel.

A structural mount assembly for a roof panel of a vehicle. The structural mount assembly includes an exterior bracket and a plurality of interior brackets. The exterior bracket is secured to an exterior surface of the roof panel. The exterior bracket includes a plurality of stanchions for mounting a sensor structure. The plurality of interior brackets are disposed on an interior surface of the roof panel and being secured to the exterior bracket through the roof panel.

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.