Trim panel having a clip retention feature

A trim panel assembly for mounting to a support structure of an automotive vehicle comprising:

• a trim panel having an inner surface facing an interior of the vehicle and an opposite outer surface facing said support structure;
• a clip having an upper section for attaching to the support structure and a lower section for attaching to said trim panel, said lower section having a first flange at a one end and a second flange spaced apart from said first flange, and a clip body defined as the portion of said clip between said first flange and said second flange;
• and
• a housing extending from said outer surface, said housing having a window and an attachment wall formed above said window, said window having a width greater than a width of the first flange of the clip, said attachment wall having an aperture extending between an upper surface and an opposite bottom surface of said attachment wall, and a slot formed in said attachment wall to connect said window with said aperture for receiving said clip body, said slot having a width that is less than said width of said window;
• and
• wherein a portion of said attachment wall adjacent said slot and said window includes a retention step extending from a bottom surface of said attachment wall, said retention step having a distal surface and a side edge extending between said bottom surface of said attachment wall and said distal surface, said distal surface being spaced apart from said bottom surface of said attachment wall, and wherein upon insertion of the clip body into said aperture, said side edge of said retention step provides an abutment to a side of said first flange to retain said clip body within said aperture.