Hybrid composite tailgate

A hybrid tailgate for a vehicle, comprising

• a thermoplastic inner structure forming the carrier frame of the tailgate,
• at least one composite reinforcement part to reinforce the carrier frame, and
• an inner cover to cover the inner structure,
• wherein the composite reinforcement part is connected to the thermoplastic inner structure at a first surface,
• wherein the composite reinforcement part forms a substantially continuous load path in the inner structure enclosing a tailgate window opening for a window glazing part of the tailgate,
• wherein the composite reinforcement part comprises
• a pair of D-pillar reinforcement parts for strengthening the D-pillar of the inner structure;
• and
• a pair of further reinforcement parts, each connected to and extending between each of the D-pillar reinforcement parts to a lock receiving portion of the inner structure,
• wherein the composite reinforcement part comprises a ribbing structure extending from the first surface, wherein the ribbing structure forms the substantially continuous load path,
• wherein the composite reinforcement part further comprises a top reinforcement part for strengthening a top part of the inner structure, and
• wherein the top reinforcement part is connected to each of the pair of D-pillar reinforcement parts at the ends of the top reinforcement part, and
• wherein the composite reinforcement part is connected to and forms an integral unit with the thermoplastic inner structure.