Patent ID: 7575250

Claim:
A cross member for a motor vehicle, comprising: an elongated, center structure having a first end, a mid portion, and a second end, said center structure being formed as a non-cast structure; a first casting rigidly connected to said first end of said center structure; and a second casting rigidly connected to said second end of said center structure, each of said first and second castings having a respective integral attachment structure for attaching a respective motor vehicle element associated with a respective, wheel of a motor vehicle, each of said first and second ends of said center structure including a flange extending from said center structure and constructed and arranged to rigidify and strengthen said center structure while providing a surface that can be placed against a side surface of a respective casting of said first and second castings for attachment with said respective casting of said first and second castings, wherein the center structure includes a central opening to accommodate a portion of a vehicle power train extending through the central opening into a hollow interior of the center structure.