A vehicle rear portion structure includes a cross member that extends in a vehicle width direction at a vehicle rear, a rear wheel house that accommodates a rear tire, a rear pillar that extends in a vehicle vertical direction, a reinforcing member that connects the rear pillar with the rear wheel house, and a joining member that connects a lower end portion of the reinforcing member with one end portion of the cross member. The rear pillar is divided into a general portion and a high-rigidity portion. The high-rigidity portion is connected to an upper end portion of the general portion and is specified with a higher rigidity than the general portion. The reinforcing member is connected to the high-rigidity portion.

A vehicle rear portion structure includes a cross member that extends in a vehicle width direction at a vehicle rear, a rear wheel house that accommodates a rear tire, a rear pillar that extends in a vehicle vertical direction, a reinforcing member that connects the rear pillar with the rear wheel house, and a joining member that connects a lower end portion of the reinforcing member with one end portion of the cross member. The rear pillar is divided into a general portion and a high-rigidity portion. The high-rigidity portion is connected to an upper end portion of the general portion and is specified with a higher rigidity than the general portion. The reinforcing member is connected to the high-rigidity portion.

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.

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.

A bumper assembly is provided for a vehicle having a frame. The bumper assembly includes a winch cradle defining a cradle mounting aperture corresponding to a first frame aperture of the frame. A bumper member is configured to at least partially surround the winch cradle and extend laterally from the winch cradle across a portion of the vehicle. The bumper member defines a bumper mounting aperture corresponding to a second frame aperture. The winch cradle is configured to couple to the vehicle frame independent of the bumper member and the bumper member is configured to couple to the vehicle frame independent of the winch cradle.

A bumper assembly is provided for a vehicle having a frame. The bumper assembly includes a winch cradle defining a cradle mounting aperture corresponding to a first frame aperture of the frame. A bumper member is configured to at least partially surround the winch cradle and extend laterally from the winch cradle across a portion of the vehicle. The bumper member defines a bumper mounting aperture corresponding to a second frame aperture. The winch cradle is configured to couple to the vehicle frame independent of the bumper member and the bumper member is configured to couple to the vehicle frame independent of the winch cradle.

A vehicle body structure for suspension mounting includes a cross-sectional structure and a connecting structure of a vehicle body on which a rear suspension is mounted that exhibits vehicle body strength with a reduced number of components. A mounting panel is provided on a wheel housing panel and has a plurality of mounting holes through which a top portion of a suspension extends so as to be mounted on the mounting panel. A reinforcing unit is provided in the mounting panel and has a shape of a ring surrounding the mounting holes.

A tire skirt support assembly for a compactor comprising a bracket and one or more skirt support members. The bracket can be oriented horizontally, and each skirt support member can have a body that is elongate with a first end and a second end opposite the first end. For each said skirt support member, the first end can be fixed to the bracket, and the second end can be below the bracket and is a free end configured to removably engage a skirt via an attachment opening in the skirt.

An apparatus and method, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a quarter panel comprised of a sheet molding compound and a fascia bracket. The fascia bracket includes a first flange integrated into the quarter panel, a second flange comprising a vehicle body mount interface, and a gripping feature configured to grip a portion of a fascia to be attached to the quarter panel.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a tire containment device securely mounted to an axle of a vehicle to contain shrapnel caused by a tire blowout. In an illustrative example, the tire containment device may include an axle bracket and a tire fender. The axle bracket, for example, may be mounted to an axle of the vehicle. The tire fender may, for example, have a substantially continuous containment cavity. In some examples, when the tire fender is coupled to a vehicle axle by the axle bracket, the containment cavity may extend over at least a top and an exterior face of an upper third of a diameter of a tire. For example, the containment cavity may substantially intercept shrapnel from failure of the tire before it reaches a body of the vehicle. Various embodiments may advantageously reduce damage to a body of the vehicle during a tire blowout.