Method of manufacturing vehicle body side structure and vehicle body side structure

Abstract

First to third steel members are cut to form predetermined planar shapes using press machines and form an upper member, a reinforcement member and a lower member. The carbon content of the third steel member is set lower than the carbon content of the first and second steel members. The upper member, the reinforcement member and the lower member are then assembled. The reinforcement member is superposed on the upper member. The upper member and the lower member are partially superposed. The superposed portions of the upper member and the reinforcement member and the superposed portions of the upper member and the lower member are then respectively joined by spot welding to form a blank member. The spot welded blank member is then heated to a temperature of a transformation point or higher, and the blank member is hot press formed by one press machine.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.