Infrared welded liftgate assembly and process of making same

A liftgate assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

• at least one local reinforcement overmolded directly to one side of at least one first reinforcement, said at least one first reinforcement extending substantially vertically adjacent to and along at least one side of a window opening;
• at least one second local reinforcement overmolded directly to said one side of said at least one first reinforcement at a lower portion of said at least one first reinforcement adjacent a bottom of the window opening;
• at least one first panel, said at least one first reinforcement infrared welded to said at least one first panel;
• at least one outer panel operably coupled to said at least one first panel, said at least one outer panel including a finished show surface;
• wherein the at least one local reinforcement is metallic;
• at least one second reinforcement infrared welded to said at least one first panel substantially above the window opening in the at least one first panel, said window opening provided for a rear window;
• and
• at least one third reinforcement infrared welded to said at least one first panel substantially below said window opening in the at least one first panel;
• wherein said at least one outer panel comprises a first panel that is an upper outer panel adhesive bonded to said at least one second reinforcement and a second panel that is a lower outer panel adhesive bonded to said at least one third reinforcement.