A vehicle instrument panel assembly that includes a display surface and a pointer equipped with an electro-optical cell. The display surface is equipped with a graphical indicator. The graphical indicator is selectively operable to an off-state and an illuminated-state. The pointer is operable to move about an axis to point to indicia on the display surface. The pointer is operable to a position that obstructs the graphical indictor from view. The electro-optical cell is operable to a transparent-state and located on the pointer to overlay the graphical indicator when the pointer is at the position that obstructs the graphical indictor from view. The cell is operated to the transparent-state when the graphical indicator is operated to the illuminated-state.