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Both multi-body dynamics and finite element tools are widely and effectively used in automotive design. These tools have typically been augmented with numerous custom extensions which greatly enhance their utility. The capability of such tools has considerable overlap in such areas as mechanical joints, contact detection, and, of most interest here, linear (modal) structural analysis. By contrast, nonlinear structural effects, particularly large deformations, remain the domain of the nonlinear structural analysis tools. Such effects cannot easily be included when using multi-body dynamics analysis tools. Recently, a novel approach has been described through which existing, mature analysis codes can be combined into a single analysis tool that continues to leverage all of the validation, existing models and extensions of the component analysis codes.