Sliding tailgate panel

A tailgate assembly for a vehicle having a vehicle body, the tailgate assembly comprising:

• a tailgate structure having a plurality of frame members, an inner member coupled to a first side of the frame members and a outer member coupled to a second side of the frame member, the frame members, inner member and outer member cooperating to define a panel cavity, the tailgate structure adapted to be pivotably coupled to the vehicle body and positionable between a generally vertical raised position and a generally horizontal lowered position;
• and
• a panel structure slidably disposed within the panel cavity and movable between a retracted position wherein the panel structure is at least partially disposed between the inner member and the outer member and an extended position adapted to substantially close a horizontal gap between the tailgate structure and the vehicle body;
• wherein placement of the tailgate structure in the raised position causes the panel structure to move into the panel cavity to the retracted position and placement of the tailgate structure in the lowered position causes the panel structure to move out of the panel cavity into the extended position.