Method of improving impact absorbing and deformation control characteristics of vehicle components

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A body pillar assembly of a vehicle comprising:

• an elongated pillar formed of a heat treatable alloy, the pillar having a bottom end attached to the chassis of the vehicle and a top end attached to the body of the vehicle at a point spaced above the chassis of the vehicle;
• and
• at least one crush trigger made by heat treating a localized area of the pillar to reduce locally the yield strength and increase the ductility of the pillar.

A steering column assembly of a vehicle having improved crash worthiness, comprising:

• steering column component made from a heat treatable tube having circular cross section, the steering column component having a first end that is closest to a steering wheel and a second end that is closest to the steering gear;
• and
• a crush trigger created by heat treating a localized area of the metal to decrease the yield strength and increase the ductility of the metal, the crush trigger being on the end of the elongated member that is attached to the steering gear.

A drive shaft for a rear wheel drive vehicle with improved crash worthiness, comprising:

• an elongated member made from a heat treatable metal, having a circular cross section, and having two ends, one end being attached to a transmission, and the other end being attached to a rear differential gear assembly;
• and
• a crush trigger created by heat treating the metal to decrease the yield strength and increase the ductility of the metal, the crush trigger being on the end of the drive shaft that is connected to the rear differential assembly.

An engine support frame with improved crash worthiness, comprising:

• an engine cradle made of a heat treatable metal;
• and
• a crush trigger created by heat treating the engine cradle to locally reduce the yield strength and increase the ductility of the engine cradle.