Front-side members of automobile, such as the hat shaped section members, are structures with the greatest energy absorbing capability in a front-end collision of vehicle. This paper was performed to analyze energy absorption characteristics of the hat shaped section members, which are basic shape of side member. The hat shaped section members consisted of the spot welded side member which was utilized to an actual vehicle and CFRP side member for lightweight of vehicle structural member. The members were tested under static axial loading by universal testing machine. Currently, stacking condition related to the collapse characteristics of composite materials is being considered as an issue fer the structural efficiency and safety of automobiles, aerospace vehicles, trains, ships even elevators during collision. So, energy absorption characteristics were analyzed according to stacking condition and shape of section and compared the results of spot welded side member with those of CFRP side member.