Vehicle article carrier for supporting articles adjacent a liftgate of a vehicle

An article carrier adapted to hold cargo and other articles adjacent a liftgate of a vehicle such as a sport utility vehicle, a station wagon, or minivan. The vehicle article carrier includes a liftgate striker connectable to the liftgate of the vehicle and a bumper striker connectable to the bumper of the vehicle. A first link is pivotally connected to the roof support structure of the motor vehicle and a second link is pivotally coupled to the first link. A locking assembly is coupled to the second link and is operable in a closed position to couple the second link to the bumper striker. In an opened position, the locking assembly releases the bumper striker in response to contact from the liftgate striker to enable the quick and convenient raising of the liftgate without the need to first unlatch the article carrier from the bumper.