China to Ban 'Hidden' Car Door Handles by 2027 Over Safety Concerns

• China plans to ban 'hidden' car door handles, a design popularized by Tesla, starting January 1, 2027, citing safety risks.
• The new regulation mandates both exterior and interior handles for all car doors, with mechanical release designs becoming mandatory.
• The decision follows scrutiny in the US and China regarding potential safety issues, including a US probe into Tesla Model 3's emergency door release.
• A fatal accident involving a Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Sedan in October highlighted concerns when bystanders couldn't open the door of a burning vehicle.
• New vehicle models must comply by January 1, 2027, and approved models by January 1, 2029.