VEHICLE PART FASTENER ALLOWING FOR STYLE AND TOOLING FLEXIBILITY

A step pad assembly includes a step pad including a plurality of raised pads protruding from an outer side of the step pad and providing a traction surface to promote sure footing of a user stepping on the traction surface. The step pad assembly further includes at least one clip fastener including a head portion, a stem portion, and a flexible finger extending from the stem portion. The head portion is configured to be detachably coupled at the outer side of the step pad. When installed on a vehicle or support member (e.g., a bumper cover or frame), the stem portion is configured to extend longitudinally from an inner side of the head portion, through an aperture disposed in the step pad, to an inner side of the step pad. The flexible finger can snap into the support member to secure the step pad to the support member.