A method of connecting (fixedly joining/attaching) a shaped metal part and a shaped thermoplastics part together is disclosed. The method includes: (a) contacting a surface of the shaped metal part with a surface of the shaped thermoplastic part, thereby forming a contact region; and (b) melting a portion of the shaped thermoplastic part in the contact region by irradiating the shaped metal part with a laser (e.g., emitting a laser beam), thereby fixedly joining the shaped metal part and said shaped thermoplastic part together. Also disclosed is a plastic/metal composite article prepared by the method of the present invention.