Automotive interior trim

An automotive interior trim assembly, comprising:

• an instrument panel, comprising:
• a substrate member defining the general shape of the instrument panel and including a central substrate section and first and second lateral substrate sections, said lateral substrate sections having respective lateral ends, and
• a pliable, first cover layer disposed on said substrate member and flexibly coupling said first and second lateral substrate sections to said central substrate, said first cover layer cooperating with said substrate member to define resilient engagement areas proximate said lateral ends of said first and second lateral substrate sections;
• and
• a door panel hingedly secured adjacent said instrument panel, proximate one of said lateral ends of said substrate member, for movement between open and closed positions;
• said door panel contacting said instrument panel at one of said resilient engagement areas when said door panel is in said closed position.

A method of finishing an interior of an automobile, comprising:

• installing an instrument panel within the interior of the automobile between laterally opposed door panels of the automobile, the instrument panel comprising a rigid substrate member including a central substrate section and first and second lateral substrate sections, and a pliable cover layer disposed over the substrate member and flexibly coupling the first and second lateral substrate sections to the central substrate section, the substrate member and cover layer together defining resilient engagement areas at lateral ends of the first and second lateral substrate sections;
• contacting a door panel of the automobile with the instrument panel, adjacent a resilient engagement area of the substrate member, when the door panel is in a closed position;
• and
• displacing at least one of the first and second lateral substrate sections toward the central substrate section to accommodate the door panel.