SLIDING JOINT APPLIQUE

A composite applique assembly for a vehicle interior trim piece includes a flexible receiver element and a flexible insert connected to the flexible receiver element by a sliding joint. An end of the flexible receiver element is fixedly connected to a vehicle door element. An end of the flexible insert opposite to the flexible receiver element end is fixedly connected to a vehicle door element. The flexible receiver element defines an internal channel configured for slidingly receiving the flexible insert therein. The flexible receiver element further defines at least a partial-length slot providing fluid communication with the internal channel.