Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes a substrate with non-uniform hardness, providing cushioned portions of the panel without the need for a distinct cushioning layer. The substrate is made from a mat of natural and synthetic fibers that is heated and pressed so that the pressed mat has thick and thin portions. The thin portions are rigid and structural, and the thick portions are soft. Application of a decorative layer can be incorporated into the process, as can back-injection molding (BIM) for additional structure.

Abstract: The vehicle trim element (1) comprises at least one support layer (2), comprising an inner face (6) and an outer face (8), and at least one heating element (4) extending over a part of the inner face (6) or over a part of the outer face (8) of the support layer (2). The heating element (4) comprises at least one discrete continuous carbon element (10) consisting of a carbon material extending continuously in an uninterrupted way from a first edge (12) to a second edge (14), and a connecting device electrically connected with the carbon element (10), said connecting device being suitable for being electrically connected to a source of current.

Abstract: A trim element includes at least one support layer having an inner face and an outer face and at least one functional layer made from a carbon material extending over at least part of the inner face or over at least part of the outer face of the support layer. At least part of the functional layer defines at least one heating element formed by a pattern that includes at least one conductive area made from carbon material and at least one nonconductive area formed by a through opening in the functional layer, the conductive area being supplied by a current source electrically connected to the conductive area.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing first and second trim parts of a vehicle, the first trim part having a first thickness and the second trim part having a second thickness different from the first thickness. The method includes introducing the first trim part and the second trim part between a front and a back tool of the forming mold, the front tool having a front fixed part and a front movable insert movable with respect to the front fixed part along a main direction, the back tool having a back fixed part and a back movable insert movable with respect to the back fixed part along the main direction; and adjusting settings of the forming mold to different values for the first and second trim parts.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing first and second trim parts of a vehicle, the first trim part having a first thickness and the second trim part having a second thickness different from the first thickness. The method includes introducing the first trim part and the second trim part between a front and a back tool of the forming mold, the front tool having a front fixed part and a front movable insert movable with respect to the front fixed part along a main direction, the back tool having a back fixed part and a back movable insert movable with respect to the back fixed part along the main direction; and adjusting settings of the forming mold to different values for the first and second trim parts.