Vehicle having power operated liftgate

A vehicle having a power operated liftgate that is pivotally attached to an aft end of a vehicle roof for pivotal movement about a hinge axis between an open position and a closed position about a hinge axis and at least one drive unit, comprising:

• a fixed linear guide channel that is attached to a vertical pillar of the vehicle, the fixed linear guide channel having an elongated vertical slot,
• a follower that is disposed in the guide channel and that moves in the guide channel, the follower having a universal connector that projects through the slot,
• a rod having a mating universal connector at one end that is universally connected to the universal connector of the follower,
• the rod having a second universal connector at an opposite end that is universally connected to a mating universal connector of the vehicle lift gate,
• a first pulley at one end of the guide channel,
• a second pulley at an opposite end of the guide channel,
• a flexible drive loop attached to the follower in an endless manner, the flexible drive loop wrapping around part of the first pulley and part of the second pulley, and
• a bi-directional drive unit having a drive wheel that drivingly engages the flexible drive loop for driving the flexible drive loop in one direction to move the lift gate to the open position and in an opposite direction to move the lift gate to the closed position.