Abstract: For obtaining a permanent decorative high-grade fixing of the inner roof covering in a motor vehicle, an approximately U-shaped retaining rail is used whose two legs terminate each in a lip, of which one is bent under interposition of a film hinge--receiving the ceiling material by welding operation--within the area of the film hinge in the direction of a flange-receiving opening extending between the two legs. The flange-receiving opening serves during the fastening of the thus-pre-assembled roof covering for being mounted over a roof-side flange.