Motor vehicle with a load-bearing platform and body with elements of plastics material, and a method for its manufacture

Claim 2

Motor vehicle characterised in that it includes: - a pre-assembled load-bearing platform (1) arranged to receive, by automated assembly operations, mechanical power units as well as functional units and internal equipment for the vehicle, the platform (1) being previously subjected to corrosion protection treatments, sound-proofing, and possible mechanical adjustment operations, and - an independently-assembled body (2) constituted by pre-assembled and finished sub-units including body elements (6,7) of moulded plastics material defining at least the roof and the sides of the vehicle, the body (2) being joined to the load-bearing platform (1) by automated fixing techniques by means of adhesives with the possible aid of mechanical connections other than welding which requires further painting and rust-proofing treatments.

Claim 3

Motor vehicle according to Claim 1, characterised in that the body (2) further includes a floor constituted by a monocoque (10) of moulded plastics material.

Claim 4

Motor vehicle according to Claim 1, characterised in that the body (2) includes a metal support framework (5) for the body elements (6,7) of moulded plastics material.

Claim 5

Method for the manufacture of a motor vehicle characterised in that it comprises the following steps: - assembling a load-bearing platform (1) pre-arranged to receive, by automated assembly operations, mechanical power units as well as functional units and internal equipment for the vehicle, and previously subjecting the platform (1) to corrosion protection treatments, sound-proofing, and possible mechanical adjustment operations; - assembling a body (2) constituted by pre-assembled and finished sub-units including body elements (6,7) of moulded plastics material defining at least the roof and the sides of the vehicle, - joining the body (2) and the load-bearing platform (1) by automated fixing techniques with adhesives and with the possible aid of mechanical connections other than welding which requires further painting and rust-proofing treatments, - assembling the mechanical power units as well as the functional units and internal equipment of the vehicle before or after the joining of the body (2) to the load -bearing platform (1), - attaching any pre-assembled and finished parts for completing the front and rear of the body.

Claim 6

Method for the manufacture of a motor vehicle characterised in that it comprises the following steps: - assembling a load-bearing platform (1) pre-arranged to receive, by automated assembly operations, mechanical power units as well as functional units and internal equipment for the vehicle, and previously subjecting the platform (1) to corrosion protection treatments, sound-proofing, and possible mechanical adjustment operations; - assembling a body (2) constituted by pre-assembled and finished sub-units including body elements (6,7) of moulded plastics material defining at least the roof and the sides of the vehicle, - joining the body (2) and the load-bearing platform (1) by automated fixing techniques with adhesives and with the possible aid of mechanical connections other than welding which requires further painting and rust-proofing treatments, - assembling the mechanical power units as well as the functional units and internal equipment of the vehicle before or after the joining of the body (2) to the load -bearing platform (1), - attaching any pre-assembled and finished parts for completing the front and rear of the body.

Claim 7

5 . Method according to Claim 4, characterised in that the step of assembling the body (2) consists of providing a metal support framework (5) and attaching the elements (6,7) of moulded plastics material to this metal framework.

Claim 8

Method according to Claim 4, characterised in that the step of assembling the body (2) consists of providing the elements (6,7) of moulded plastics material with metal support members and joining the elements (6,7) of moulded plastics material so as to form a support framework (5) with the metal members.

Claim 9

7 . Method according to Claim 5, characterised in that the elements (6,7) of moulded plastics material are assembled beforehand to constitute a pre-assembled sub-unit (8) which is subsequently joined to the metal framework (5).