China Bans Hidden Door Handles in Cars, Impacting Tesla and Others

China has enacted a groundbreaking regulation prohibiting hidden door handles in all vehicles sold within its borders, making it the first country to implement such a ban. This decision comes as Tesla, known for its distinctive hidden handles, faces declining global sales and increasing competition in China, its second-largest market. The new rules, effective January 1, 2027, require both interior and exterior door handles to have mechanical opening mechanisms that are easily operable from any angle. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology cited safety concerns, including difficulties in opening doors after accidents, as the primary motivation for this policy. Other electric vehicle manufacturers, such as Xiaomi and Aion, are also affected by these regulations.

Key Details: • New regulations take effect on January 1, 2027. • All cars sold in China must have mechanical door handles. • Handles must be operable from any angle for safety. • Concerns arose from accidents where passengers were trapped due to handle failures.