Core Viewpoint - Tesla is redesigning its door handle system to merge electronic and manual mechanisms into a single button to address safety concerns regarding passengers being trapped inside the vehicle [1][3][4]. Group 1: Safety Concerns and Regulatory Investigations - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating door defects in approximately 174,000 Tesla vehicles, following over 140 consumer complaints since 2018 regarding door malfunctions, including incidents where passengers were trapped due to power loss [2][9]. - The investigation particularly focuses on the Model Y's external handle failures and incidents involving children being trapped inside vehicles [7][8]. - Critics argue that the hidden door handles complicate rescue efforts and place the burden on passengers unfamiliar with manual unlocking mechanisms [10]. Group 2: Design Improvements - Tesla's design director, Franz von Holzhausen, emphasized the significance of integrating the electronic and manual lock mechanisms into one button, which is currently under research [4][5]. - The existing manual release mechanism is difficult to locate, especially for rear passengers, and varies in position across different models and years [5][6]. - The redesign aims to enhance the intuitiveness of door operation in emergency situations, responding to regulatory concerns about the safety of Tesla's door systems [1][2].
特斯拉重新设计门把手