In unibody construction, the frame and body are...

• A. Two independent assemblies
• B. A frame attached to the body by bolts
• C. A body-on-frame design
• D. The frame and body are one integral unit

Answer: (D)

In unibody construction, the frame and body are one integral unit. The vehicle’s structure is built as a single, rigid shell where the body panels, floor, rails, and other components all work together to carry loads and maintain stiffness. There isn’t a separate frame that the body mounts to; instead, the structural body itself handles the stresses from the road, engine, and occupants. This design tends to be lighter and offers better crash energy management because the entire shell participates in supporting loads. By contrast, the other concepts describe architectures where a separate frame exists or the frame is merely attached to the body, which is not the case in unibody.