A bumper beam and a method of fabrication. In a preferred embodiment, the bumper
beam has a generally trussed-shaped section. The method generally comprises stamping
a blank to form a front shell portion and rear plate portion; apertures in appropriate
positions in the blank to accommodate vehicle rails or components of the bumper;
folding the blank along a longitudinal interface line the separates the rear plate
portion from the front shell portion so that at some part of the rear plate portion
contacts at least some part of the interior side of the front shell portion; and
welding parts of the rear plate portion and the front shell portion that are in contact.
