Tethered fastener apparatus and method

A body panel and tether assembly for an automobile body structure comprising:

• a body panel;
• a fastener clip having two or more arms detachably coupled to the body panel;
• and
• a first multi-strand reinforced strap having a first end coupled to a first point on the body panel, and a second end opposite the first end coupled to an end of the fastener clip;
• a second multi-strand reinforced strap having a first end coupled to a second point on the body panel, and a second end opposite the first end is coupled to an opposite end of the fastener clip, wherein:
• when in an attached mode:
• the fastener clip is attached to the body panel and to the automobile body structure,
• when in a detached mode:
• the fastener clip is unclipped from the body panel while tethered with each strap.

A vehicle comprising:

• a vehicle chassis;
• a fastener clip having two or more arms clipped to the vehicle chassis and detachably coupled to a body panel;
• and
• a first multi-strand reinforced strap having a first end coupled to a first point on the body panel, and a second end coupled to an end of the fastener clip;
• a second multi-strand reinforced strap having a first end coupled to a second point on the body panel, a second end is coupled to an opposite end of the fastener clip, wherein each strap absorbs a detachment force.