Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Alexander C Winter

James M Townson

Mark L Felzien

Christopher C Cook

Arthur M Melander

David R Galloway

Joseph Richard Karner

Katherine Lee Tachick

Gregory Lee Zubal

Stephen Benjamin Sherrick

Jack William Berletch

A method of assembling a front end assembly of a vehicle is provided. The method includes integrally forming a positioning and reinforcement structure having a relatively rectilinear configuration comprising a top support member, a bottom support member, a first side member and a second side member. The method also includes detachably coupling a first wing structure to the first side member. The method further includes operably mounting a first fender assembly to a first side flange of the first wing structure. The method yet further includes operably coupling a centering bracket proximate the top support member. The method also includes locating and centering the positioning and reinforcement structure to a hood with the centering bracket. The method further includes fixedly securing the positioning and reinforcement structure to a radiator support disposed rearwardly of the positioning and reinforcement structure.

Method of assembling a front end assembly of a vehicle

A fascia support structure for a vehicle includes a top portion, the top portion comprising a substantially U-shaped body comprising a top fascia support member, a first side fascia support member and a second side fascia support member, the first side fascia support member having a first side baffle, the second side fascia support member having a second side baffle. The structure also includes a bottom portion attached to the first side fascia support member and the second side fascia support member, the bottom portion comprising a bottom baffle and an integrated locking structure disposed on a surface. A front fascia for a vehicle includes a viewable surface and an opposed structural surface, the structural surface comprising an integrated locking member, the integrated locking member configured for interlocking mating engagement with a fascia support structure.

Front fascia support structure and a vehicle comprising the same

A detachable positioning and reinforcement structure includes a first wing structure operably coupled to a first automotive component. Also included is a second wing structure operably coupled to a second automotive component. Further included is a central portion removably coupled to the first wing structure, the second wing structure and a third automotive component disposed rearwardly of the central portion.

Detachable positioning and reinforcement structure and method of disassembling a front end assembly for a vehicle

A grill opening reinforcement (GOR) assembly of a vehicle is provided. The GOR assembly includes a shutter body formed to define a first opening, a front fascia and a seal. The shutter body includes a top portion, first and second side support members and a bottom portion. The front fascia is formed to define a second opening and is supportively attachable to the shutter body. The seal is disposable on a leading edge of at least one of the first and second side support members and the bottom portion and is configured to define an airflow path from the second opening to the first opening.

Grill opening reinforcement assembly

A positioning and reinforcement structure for a vehicle includes a top support member and a bottom support member each extending relatively horizontally in a cross-car orientation and relatively parallel to each other. Also included is a first side member and a second side member each extending relatively vertically and relatively parallel to each other, the first side member and the second side member each coupled to the top support member and the bottom support member. Further included is a first wing structure detachably coupled to the first side member, the first wing structure comprising a first side flange configured to operably mount to a first fender assembly. Yet further included is a centering bracket disposed proximate a top side of the top support member, the centering bracket configured to locate a front region of a hood to the positioning and reinforcement structure.

Positioning and reinforcement structure for a vehicle

An exhaust pipe hanger assembly is provided in a vehicle having a rigid structural member. The exhaust pipe hanger assembly includes a continuously linearly extending rigid rod bracket. The rod bracket has a first portion extending through and securely captured within the rigid structural member and a second portion linearly extending from the first portion and extending outwardly from the structural member. The exhaust pipe is suspended from the second portion of the rigid rod bracket. The rigid rod bracket has sufficiently high stiffness and resonant vibrational frequencies such that transmission of exhaust pipe vibration into the vehicle is reduced.

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Northville, MI, United States of America

Alexander C Winter