a motor vehicle front body panel includes at least one rigid cross - member that extends between two support pieces . the rigid cross - member is preferably made of metal , and the support pieces are preferably molded of plastic . the plastic support pieces may be molded around the ends of the cross - member and may be capable of accomodating other parts of the vehicle , such as headlights . in an alternate embodiment , the vehicle front body panel may include a second rigid cross - member that is also attached to the two support pieces .