TAILGATE ASSEMBLY

A tailgate assembly including a first gate and a second gate. The first gate configured to rotate with respect to a vehicle body and the second gate configured to rotate with respect to the first gate. The second gate includes an outer panel, an injection molded carrier plate, and a drive mechanism. The injection molded carrier plate is configured to be fixed the outer panel to form a cavity. And the injection molded carrier plate is configured to carry a number of functional components. The drive mechanism is fixed to the carrier plate and operably connected to at least one functional component of the number of functional components. Drive mechanism is configured to actuate and move the at least one functional component with respect to the second gate between the number of positions.