Structural members for a vehicle and methods

A structural member for a vehicle framework, the structural member being at least partially configured for supporting bending loads, comprising:

• a main piece with a substantially U-shaped cross-section comprising a bottom, a first side wall and a second side wall;
• wherein the main piece comprises a region configured for supporting bending loads, and
• a first patch having a first patch edge and an opposite second patch edge, wherein the first patch is attached to the main piece by continuous laser welding inside the first patch substantially along all edges of the patch at least in the region configured for supporting bending loads,
• wherein the main piece is made of hardened steel and wherein the first patch is made of a more ductile material than the hardened steel, and wherein
• the first patch extends over the bottom, the first side wall and the second side wall of the main piece.