An apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a single-piece bracket having a first mount interface configured to receive a fog lamp and a second mount interface configured to receive an actuator for an active air dam. A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, injection molding a single-piece bracket from a plastic material to include a first mount interface configured to receive a fog lamp and a second mount interface configured to receive an actuator for an active air dam.

A painted vehicle trim component such as a spoiler, side-view mirror housing, or other vehicle body part is provided with electroluminescent paint to emit light from its surface. The trim component includes a substrate having a mounting surface for attaching to the vehicle. A conductor body is at least partially embedded in the substrate to provide a conductive surface exposed externally of the substrate. A conductive wire is crimped to the conductor body and is adapted to connect to an electrical power source remotely from the vehicle trim component. A conductive bus bar paint layer is deposited over the substrate and onto the exposed conductive surface of the conductor body. A light-emitting paint layer deposited over the substrate is disposed relative to the conductive paint layer such that light is emitted when an electrical signal is received at the conductive wire.

A method of making a fascia for an automobile includes providing an article, the article being one of translucent or transparent and applying a deposited pattern onto at least a first portion of a first side of the article. The method further includes forming the article into a shape, the shape being configured to be consonant with a vehicle exterior configuration. A fascia system includes a transparent member mounted on a vehicle, the member having printed matter on one side, and the member being included into a vehicle exterior design. Additionally, the member is oriented in front of an illumination device and is illuminated by the device.

A grille lighting system includes a light emitting lamp that includes one or more walls defining an inner space isolated from outside, a light emitting material disposed in the inner space and configured to emit light when the light emitting material contacts air, and a shutter disposed on the one or more walls, wherein the shutter is configured to be opened to allow introduction of outside air to the inner space from outside and further configured to be closed to block introduction of outside air to the inner space. The system further includes a controller configured to control operation of the shutter and cause the shutter to be opened and closed such that when the shutter is opened, the outside air is introduced to contact the light emitting material, which causes the light emitting material to emit light.

A bumper assembly includes a bumper beam elongated in a cross-vehicle direction and a bumper that is plastic. The bumper is elongated in the cross-vehicle direction and is affixed to the bumper beam. The bumper beam is rigid relative to the bumper. The bumper defines a cavity enclosed by the bumper. The cavity is elongated in the cross-vehicle direction.

Problem: To integrate portions of lamps and sensors with a bumper fascia, reduce the number of components and the number of man-hours for assembly, and easily assemble a vehicle exterior assembly to an outer surface of a vehicle body.

Solution: In an exterior assembly 11 for being installed on a front surface of a vehicle body, head lamps 13 and fog lamps 14 that provide illumination in front of a vehicle and sensors 15 that collect information from in front of the vehicle are arranged in vertical rows on a bumper fascia 12. Lens portions 18 and 21 of the lamps 13 and 14 and antenna portions 24 of the sensors 15 are integrally formed with both right and left ends of the bumper fascia 12. Body portions 19 and 22 of the lamps 13 and 14 and case portions 25 of the sensors 15 are integrally formed in a separate molding step from that for the bumper fascia 12 and assembled to a back surface of the bumper fascia 12 as single components.

A lighting unit for a vehicle is disclosed that includes a housing; a radial flange that extends outwardly of the housing; and at least one retainer that is fixedly connected to the radial flange such that the at least one retainer extends rearwardly towards a body of the vehicle during installation to allow for removable connection of the lighting unit to the body of the vehicle from a location forward of the vehicle. The at least one retainer is configured for insertion into a corresponding opening in the body of the vehicle and includes a resilient material that facilitates deflection of the at least one retainer during installation and removal of the lighting unit.

A painted vehicle trim component such as a spoiler, side-view mirror housing, or other vehicle body part is provided with electroluminescent paint to emit light from its surface. The trim component includes a substrate having a mounting surface for attaching to the vehicle. A conductor body is at least partially embedded in the substrate to provide a conductive surface exposed externally of the substrate. A conductive wire is crimped to the conductor body and is adapted to connect to an electrical power source remotely from the vehicle trim component. A conductive bus bar paint layer is deposited over the substrate and onto the exposed conductive surface of the conductor body. A light-emitting paint layer deposited over the substrate is disposed relative to the conductive paint layer such that light is emitted when an electrical signal is received at the conductive wire.

A bumper assembly includes a bumper and a stowable lighting assembly. The stowable lighting assembly includes a post and a lighting device. The post includes a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is pivotably coupled to the bumper. The lighting device is pivotably coupled to the distal end of the post. The stowable lighting assembly is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the post positioned within or beneath the bumper in the stowed position.

A method of making a fascia for an automobile includes providing an article, the article being one of translucent or transparent and applying a deposited pattern onto at least a first portion of a first side of the article. The method further includes forming the article into a shape, the shape being configured to be consonant with a vehicle exterior configuration. A fascia system includes a transparent member mounted on a vehicle, the member having printed matter on one side, and the member being included into a vehicle exterior design. Additionally, the member is oriented in front of an illumination device and is illuminated by the device.