Modular vehicle

A vehicle comprising:

• a chassis including:
• a pair of frame rails extending longitudinally and each including a front portion and a rear portion, wherein a first lateral distance between the front portions is less than a second lateral distance between the rear portions;
• and
• a cross member extending laterally between the frame rails and fixedly coupled to the frame rails;
• a front tractive assembly coupled to the chassis and including a pair of front wheels, wherein the front portions of the frame rails extend between the front wheels;
• a rear tractive assembly coupled to the chassis, the rear tractive assembly including:
• a first rear wheel and a second rear wheel, wherein the rear portions of the frame rails extend between the first rear wheel and the second rear wheel;
• an axle coupled to the first rear wheel;
• an electric motor longitudinally offset from the axle;
• and
• a power transmission coupling the electric motor to the axle;
• an upper frame coupled to the frame rails and extending above the chassis, wherein the rear tractive assembly extends beneath the upper frame;
• and
• a seat coupled to the upper frame.

A method for producing vehicles, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of base assemblies, each of the base assemblies including:
• a base frame including a pair of first frame rails that extend longitudinally and are laterally offset from one another, each of the first frame rails including a front portion and a rear portion, wherein a first lateral distance between the front portions of the first frame rails is less than a second lateral distance between the rear portions of the first frame rails;
• a front tractive assembly including a pair of front wheels, wherein the front tractive assembly is coupled to the base frame such that the front portions of the first frame rails extend between the front wheels;
• and
• a rear tractive assembly including a pair of rear wheels, wherein the rear tractive assembly is coupled to the base frame such that the rear portions of the first frame rails extend between the rear wheels;
• providing a first application kit including:
• an upper frame including a second frame rail;
• a first seat coupled to the second frame rail;
• a bed pivotably coupled to the second frame rail and having a top surface configured to support a load;
• and
• a bed actuator coupled to the upper frame and the bed and configured to reposition the bed relative to the upper frame;
• providing a second application kit including:
• a second seat;
• a first seat frame coupled to the second seat;
• a third seat;
• and
• a second seat frame separate from the first seat frame and coupled to the third seat;
• coupling the upper frame of the first application kit to the base frame of a first base assembly of the plurality of base assemblies to provide a first vehicle variant, wherein in the first vehicle variant:
• the bed is positioned rearward of the first seat;
• the second frame rail extends longitudinally above one of the first frame rails and the rear tractive assembly;
• and
• the second frame rail meets the one of the first frame rails between the front tractive assembly and the rear tractive assembly;
• and
• coupling the first seat frame and the second seat frame of the second application kit to both of the first frame rails of the base frame of a second base assembly of the plurality of base assemblies to provide a second vehicle variant, wherein in the second vehicle variant:
• the first seat frame is positioned between the front tractive assembly and the rear tractive assembly of the second base assembly;
• and
• the rear tractive assembly of the second base assembly extends beneath the third seat and the second seat frame.