Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

James K Schoenow

Venkateshwar R Aitharaju

Zachariah Smith

A vehicle panel includes an outer panel layer formed from a first material. The outer panel layer includes a first side, a second side, and a peripheral edge. A second panel joining surface is arranged inwardly of the peripheral edge. An inner panel layer formed from a second material that is distinct from the first material is arranged across the second side. The second panel includes a first side portion, a second side portion, and a peripheral edge portion. A panel bonding layer is joined to the peripheral edge portion. The panel bonding layer is formed from a third material that is distinct from the second material. A bonding material is disposed between the second panel joining surface and the panel bonding layer creating a chemical bond between the panel bonding layer and the second panel joining surface.

Vehicle panel having a hybrid composite material construction

A fuel door locking system for a fuel door and hinge arm combination in which the fuel door is slidably interfaced on the hinge arm. The fuel door has a pin aperture. An abutment of the hinge arm is disposed adjacent said pin aperture. A locking pin is adapted for being inserted into the pin aperture with an interfering relationship with respect thereto which impedes the locking pin from being removed from the pin aperture. When the fuel door is slidably interfaced on the hinge arm and the locking pin is inserted into the pin aperture, then the abutment interferingly abuts the locking pin to prevent the fuel door from being slid off from the hinge arm.

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Frankenmuth, MI, United States of America

James K Schoenow