Drive unit for automotive vehicle

A vehicle drive unit comprising:

• a housing having a motor portion that defines a channel and a mounting flange;
• an electric motor coupled to the motor portion of the housing;
• a power terminal disposed in the channel in the motor portion;
• a cover that is removably coupled to the motor portion to cover at least a portion of the channel to inhibit access to the power terminal, the cover being configured to seat against or proximate the mounting flange when coupled to the motor portion;
• an electric lead that is received in the channel and electrically coupled to the power terminal;
• a blocking member coupled to the motor portion, the blocking member being movable relative to the motor portion between a first position, which at least partially blocks access of the electric lead to the power terminal through the channel and projects from the motor portion to inhibit the cover from being coupled to the motor portion, and a second position which permits access of the electric lead to the power terminal through the channel and is oriented to permit the cover to be coupled to the motor portion;
• a differential assembly received in the housing, the differential assembly having a differential input member and a pair of differential output members;
• a pair of shafts, each of the shafts being driven by a respective one of the differential output members;
• and
• a transmission disposed in the housing, the transmission transmitting rotary power between the electric motor and the differential input member.