Abstract: A method is provided for lowering a tailgate of a motor vehicle when that motor vehicle is hitched to a trailer having a component that interferes with the lowering of the tailgate. The method comprises the steps of displacing a section of the tailgate to form a clearance opening in the tailgate, folding the tailgate into a lowered position and accommodating the component of the trailer in the clearance opening when the tailgate is folded and lowered. Various tailgate assemblies for performing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A footrest assembly includes a body portion having an upper contact surface adapted to support a vehicle occupant's foot at a predetermined angle. The footrest assembly includes mounting members adapted to couple the footrest assembly to a base unit disposed on a vehicle floorboard. The footrest assembly includes a depression or recess adapted to receive a parking brake pedal when the parking brake is in a fully actuated position. Thus, the footrest assembly is configured to provide a footrest option in a vehicle interior that would otherwise not have the space requirements to accommodate a footrest, while also allowing for full functionality of a parking brake pedal.

Abstract: A footrest assembly includes a body portion having an upper contact surface adapted to support a vehicle occupant's foot at a predetermined angle. The footrest assembly includes mounting members adapted to couple the footrest assembly to a base unit disposed on a vehicle floorboard. The footrest assembly includes a depression or recess adapted to receive a parking brake pedal when the parking brake is in a fully actuated position. Thus, the footrest assembly is configured to provide a footrest option in a vehicle interior that would otherwise not have the space requirements to accommodate a footrest, while also allowing for full functionality of a parking brake pedal.

Abstract: A deployable footrest assembly includes a top plate that is actuated by an actuator such that the top plate is operable between stowed and deployed positions. During deployment, the top plate is released from a housing by moving a latch mechanism to an unlatched position. Once the top plate is released from the housing, the actuator provides an in-line assist feature to linkage arms of a linkage assembly. Powered by the actuator, the linkage arms rotate to a fixed or set position thereby allowing a vehicle occupant to use the unit as a deployed footrest. During stowage, the latch assembly is coupled to a stowage mechanism, such that when the latch assembly is actuated, the stowage mechanism pulls the linkage arms beyond the set locking threshold angle thereby enabling the top plate to collapse back to a stowed position.