A shifter assembly for a vehicle, comprising: a body ; a shifter extending from the body ; a shift lock extending laterally outward from the body , the shift lock being movable between a locked position, in which the shifter is locked in a parked position and the vehicle is immovable, and an unlocked position, in which the shifter is movable from the parked position to allow for movement of the vehicle; and a shift lock lever supported by the body such that the shift lock lever is movable between a first position and a second position, the shift lock lever including a first end portion and an opposite second end portion , the second end portion defining a bearing surface configured for contact with the shift lock such that a vertically downward movement of the shift lock lever between the first position and the second position causes the bearing surface to apply a force to the shift lock that causes forward displacement of the shift lock and results in corresponding movement of the shift lock between the locked position and the unlocked position, wherein the second end portion of the shift lock lever includes a first segment , and a second segment extending from the first segment such that the second end portion of the shift lock lever is generally L-shaped in configuration, and defines an interior region configured to receive the shift lock and protect the shift lock from contact with other components in the vehicle, the second segment defines the bearing surface , and the first segment defines a terminal end positioned vertically below the shift lock , characterized in that the first segment and the second segment subtend an angle therebetween, when viewed from the lateral direction, representing a side view of the shifter assembly, within a range of approximately 60° to approximately 120°, and the terminal end is also positioned rearward of the shift lock . a body ; a shifter extending from the body ; a shift lock extending laterally outward from the body , the shift lock being movable between a locked position, in which the shifter is locked in a parked position and the vehicle is immovable, and an unlocked position, in which the shifter is movable from the parked position to allow for movement of the vehicle; and a shift lock lever supported by the body such that the shift lock lever is movable between a first position and a second position, the shift lock lever including a first end portion and an opposite second end portion , the second end portion defining a bearing surface configured for contact with the shift lock such that a vertically downward movement of the shift lock lever between the first position and the second position causes the bearing surface to apply a force to the shift lock that causes forward displacement of the shift lock and results in corresponding movement of the shift lock between the locked position and the unlocked position, wherein the second end portion of the shift lock lever includes a first segment , and a second segment extending from the first segment such that the second end portion of the shift lock lever is generally L-shaped in configuration, and defines an interior region configured to receive the shift lock and protect the shift lock from contact with other components in the vehicle, the second segment defines the bearing surface , and the first segment defines a terminal end positioned vertically below the shift lock , characterized in that the first segment and the second segment subtend an angle therebetween, when viewed from the lateral direction, representing a side view of the shifter assembly, within a range of approximately 60° to approximately 120°, and the terminal end is also positioned rearward of the shift lock . <EOS>