A roof rack attachment assembly for a vehicle is provided along with a method of assembling a vehicle having a roof panel capable of receiving a roof rack attachment at a predetermined attachment point is provided. The vehicle may include a roof panel defining a plurality of elongated grooves. The assembly may include a groove applique disposed within and along the length of each of the elongated grooves. The groove applique may be secured within each of the elongated grooves with a plurality of securing components placed along the length of the elongated groove. A plurality of attachment features may be coupled to the groove applique at predetermined locations, defining a predetermined attachment point for a vehicle roof rack. The roof rack assembly allows a roof rack of any style to be added, removed, or replaced at the each of the predetermined attachment points throughout the life of the vehicle.