Vehicle panel with metalized film

A vehicle panel ( 10 ) includes a core layer ( 12 ) and a layer of metalized film ( 14 ) bonded to the core layer ( 12 ). In one embodiment, the core layer ( 12 ) is made of a material with heat absorption or insulation properties. The layer of metalized film ( 14 ) is made of a material having heat reflective properties that can be bonded to the core layer ( 12 ). Alternatively, a compatible bonding agent can be applied to the core layer, the metalized film, or both. To form the vehicle panel ( 10 ), the layer metalized film ( 14 ) is positioned on one half of a mold tool and the core layer ( 12 ) is positioned on the other half of the mold tool. Heat is applied to the core layer ( 12 ) and the mold tool is closed such that the heat from the core layer ( 12 ) causes the metalized film ( 14 ) to be in a formable state and bonds to the core layer ( 12 ).