Abstract: An automotive component (10) and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The component (10) comprises a core portion (14) formed of a first material and a second portion (18) integral with the core portion (14) and formed of a second material. In one illustrated embodiment, the first and second materials have different material property characteristics. For example, the first material can be made of a relatively harder plastic material than the second material made of a softtouch plastic material. The method for manufacturing the component comprises the steps of injecting the first material into a first cavity of a mold to form the core portion (14), altering the mold cavity to form a second cavity and injecting the second material into the second cavity while the first material is in a reactive state to form the second portion (18) of the component. Because the first material is in the reactive state, the second material is integrally formed with the first material.

Abstract: A connector assembly for attaching a hardware component and a trim panel to a vehicular structure includes a shank (18) and a head (20). The shank has a head end (22) and an anchor end (24) for securing the hardware component to the vehicular structure. The head has a trim retaining end and a shank engaging end.(42) The trim retaining end secures the connector assembly (10) to a trim panel. A break neck (50) is disposed between the shank engaging end and the trim retaining end of the head. Upon application of a load to the head, the head breaks from the shank at the break neck, allowing the removal of the trim panel from the hardware component and the vehicular structure.