An article carrier for a motor vehicle comprising at least one generally horizontally arranged molded plastic article supporting slat capable of being fixedly secured to the vehicle and having an end cap mechanism and/or a bracket for supporting a cross rail or the like integrally formed into the slat. The end cap mechanism may include a tie down for securing articles to be supported by the slat. The slat may have a channel and an insert may be placed in the channel for resilient but sturdy support of articles placed on the slat. The slat and the article carrier may be of various forms.
