vehicle body; car body; frame
Refers to the main structural body of a vehicle, especially cars, but also trains, trucks, etc. 'Frame' is a secondary gloss; the primary meaning is the outer body.
The car body was heavily damaged in the accident.
The body of this train is made of aluminum alloy.
I washed the car body in the parking lot.
The car body leaned sharply on the tight curve.
The car body got scratched in the accident.
They are painting the new car body at the factory.
車体 is the body of a land vehicle like a car or train, whereas 胴体 is more typically used for the fuselage of an aircraft or hull of a ship.
車両 means the vehicle or railway car as a whole unit, while 車体 refers narrowly to its body or chassis.
stand; base; platform; table; rack · setting (of a gem); mounting · stock (in grafting) · counter for machines and vehicles · level; mark; range; decade (of one's life) · tall building (with a fine view); observation platform · plateau; heights
Compound of 車 (しゃ, 'vehicle') and 体 (たい, 'body').