Patent ID: 8220855

Claim:
A tailgate structure comprising: a tailgate comprised of an outer panel with a mounting hole formed for an externally mounted component, an inner panel formed as a frame provided on that side of the outer panel which faces a vehicle compartment, and a lining for covering the frame from inside the vehicle compartment, the tailgate being adapted to be openably/closably disposed on a vehicle body; and a lock mechanism provided on the frame so as to allow interlocking engagement of the tailgate with the vehicle body, wherein the frame has an opening formed between the mounting hole and the lock mechanism, and the lining has a protrusion protruding through the opening toward the outer panel along a straight line passing over the mounting hole and the lock mechanism, wherein the protrusion protrudes through the opening toward the outer panel along a straight line connecting the mounting hole and the lock mechanism, and wherein a transmitting member extending from the lock mechanism is disposed adjacent to an outermost face of the protrusion extending through the opening.