A side member for a vehicle is formed by an extruded profile as well as a closed profile which are both constructed as open profiles with an approximately L-shaped cross-section. On the interior side of the extruded profile, a hollow chamber is situated which is removed in sections along the longitudinal course of the side member in order to achieve a targeted compression behavior (folding) of the side member in the event of an impact of the vehicle. Bushes for receiving the chassis components are inserted in the extruded profile. Like the partial weakening of the hollow chamber, the insertion of bushes takes place before the closing of the side member by connecting the profiles.