Tesla Plans to Redesign Door Handles That Could Trap Passengers in Cars

Group 1 - Tesla plans to redesign interior door handles to combine powered and manual releases, addressing safety concerns related to passengers being trapped inside vehicles [1][2] - The design change aims to assist individuals in "panic situations" by merging the electronic and manual release into a single button [2] - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating complaints about Tesla's door handles, particularly regarding incidents where children have been trapped in Model Y vehicles [4] Group 2 - Tesla's design chief, Franz von Holzhausen, mentioned that the company is also considering changes to comply with Chinese regulations that may prohibit concealed door handles [2] - Recent investigations have highlighted issues with both exterior and interior door handles, leading to complaints and lawsuits against Tesla [4] - The NHTSA's investigation may extend to previous reports of drivers being trapped in burning vehicles due to door malfunctions [4]