Hidden door handles face ban under China’s d...

Summary

• China plans to outlaw fully hidden door handles on new cars under draft rules that four ministries issued on Saturday to tighten checks on car design.
• Under the draft, any car with a new handle design must prove that it works reliably in extreme conditions and in emergencies.
• In February, China said that from 2027 all car doors must open mechanically from both inside and outside, a world first that followed safety concerns over electronic handles.

AI Generated Summary

China plans to outlaw fully hidden door handles on new cars under draft rules that four ministries issued on Saturday to tighten checks on car design.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the draft together with the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the State Administration for Market Regulation. The public can now comment on the draft.

According to the draft, the rules target so-called innovative designs that affect driving safety. Regulators said some carmakers had rushed new models to market without proper testing, which raised safety and environmental risks.

Hidden door handles have become a common feature on Chinese electric vehicles. They cut aerodynamic drag, which helps extend driving range, and they give cars a futuristic look.