Hot press machine, hot press method, and method of manufacturing vehicle body component

A hot press method comprising:

• a first step of forming a superposed member by superposing and joining a second steel sheet on a first steel sheet;
• a second step of heating the superposed member;
• and
• a third step of performing press forming and quenching by pressing the heated superposed member between a first die and a second die and bringing a refrigerant into direct contact with a superposed portion of the superposed member.

A method of manufacturing a vehicle body component, the method comprising:

• a first step of forming a superposed member by superposing and joining a second steel sheet as a vehicle body reinforcement member on a first steel sheet;
• a second step of heating the superposed member;
• and
• a third step of performing press forming and quenching the heated superposed member between a first die and a second die,
• wherein the third step further comprising providing a hot press machine comprising a first refrigerant flow passage for guiding a refrigerant in the first die or the second die, a plurality of grooves formed in a press forming surface of the first die or the second die and corresponding to a superposed portion of the superposed member, and a second refrigerant flow passage for guiding a refrigerant into the grooves, setting the heated superposed member on the first die in a state where the refrigerant flows through the first refrigerant flow passage, and pressing the superposed member between the first die and the second die and simultaneously bringing the refrigerant into direct contact with the superposed portion of the superposed member by letting the refrigerant flow through the grooves.