Compression-molded composite panel including a living hinge having a score line which functions as a style line

A compression-molded, composite panel for a vehicle load floor, the panel comprising:

• first and second skins and a core positioned between the skins and having a large number of cavities, the first skin having a top surface;
• a substantially continuous facing material layer having an outwardly-facing surface for display in an interior cargo compartment of the vehicle, the skins being bonded to the core and the facing material layer being bonded to the top surface of the first skin by press molding, the press molding forming a first portion of the panel and a second portion of the panel pivotally connected to the first portion;
• a living hinge including a portion of the facing material layer which allows the second portion of the panel to pivot between different use positions relative to the first portion of the panel;
• and
• a score line formed by the press molding in the outwardly-facing surface of the portion of the facing material layer to at least partially form the living hinge and function as a style line to mask facing material imperfections or damage at the outwardly-facing surface.

A compression-molded, composite panel for a motor vehicle interior, the panel comprising:

• first and second skins and a core positioned between the skins and having a large number of cavities, the first skin having an outer surface;
• a substantially continuous facing material layer having an outwardly-facing surface for display in an interior compartment of the vehicle, the skins being bonded to the core and the facing material layer being bonded to the outer surface of the first skin by press molding, the press molding forming a first portion of the panel and a second portion of the panel pivotally connected to the first portion;
• a living hinge including a portion of the facing material layer which allows the second portion of the panel to pivot between different use positions relative to the first portion of the panel;
• and
• a score line formed by the press molding in the outwardly-facing surface of the portion of the facing material layer to at least partially form the living hinge and function as a style line to mask facing material imperfections or damage at the outwardly facing surface.