Toyota Technical Center, U.s.a., Inc.

Yoichi Sato

Michael Sweers

Mark Alan DeJongh

A reinforced trim panel assembly secured to a body panel for a vehicle includes a first trim panel member adjacent to a second trim panel member along a first seam. A reinforcement bracket is disposed between the trim panel members and the vehicle body panels, and is positioned over the first seam and secured to each of the first trim panel member and the second trim panel member using a fastening means. The reinforcement bracket absorbs a force from an impact to the trim panel assembly to prevent separation of the first seam.

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Farmington Hills, MI, United States of America

Yoichi Sato