Instrument panel and method of manufacture

An instrument panel assembly connected to an instrument panel retainer of a vehicle, comprising:

• a first instrument panel section including a layer of foam with a first surface, a second surface, and a first end;
• a skin including a first exterior surface and an interior surface, said interior surface being bonded to said second surface and said skin being wrapped around and bonded to said first end;
• and at least ore connecting protrusion extending from said first surface adjacent said first end;
• and
• a second instrument panel section including a layer of foam with a first surface, a second surface, and a second end;
• a skin including a second exterior surface and an interior surface, wherein said second exterior surface is different than said first exterior surface, said interior surface being bonded to said second surface, and said skin being wrapped around and bonded to said second end defining a flap of skin,
• wherein said first end abuts said second end, said flap of skin is tucked under said first end, said first surface of said first instrument panel section being adhesively bonded to the retainer, said first surface of said second instrument panel section being adhesively bonded to the retainer, said flap of skin wraps about said at least one connecting protrusion, and said flap of skin and said connecting protrusion being received in a locator hole of the retainer.

A method of aligning and interconnecting a first instrument panel section and a second instrument panel section with a retainer of a vehicle, comprising:

• abutting a first end of a first instrument panel section with a second end of a second instrument panel section, wherein said first instrument panel section includes a layer of foam having a first surface and a second surface;
• a skin including a first exterior surface and an interior surface, said interior surface being bonded to said second surface and said skin being wrapped around and bonded to said first end;
• and at least one connecting protrusion extending from said first surface adjacent said first end, said second instrument panel section includes a layer of foam having a first surface, a second surface;
• a skin including a second exterior surface and an interior surface, said interior surface being bonded to said second surface and said skin being wrapped around and bonded to said second end such that a flap is defined;
• tucking said flap of skin under said first end;
• urging said connecting protrusion on said flap of skin and into a locator hole of the retainer to align and connect said first instrument panel section, said second instrument panel section and the retainer;
• and
• bonding said first instrument panel section and said second instrument panel section to the retainer with an adhesive.