Core Viewpoint - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has released a draft for the "Safety Technical Requirements for Automotive Door Handles," which aims to standardize the design of vehicle door handles, potentially eliminating all hidden door handle designs in the market if approved [1]. Group 1: Regulatory Changes - The draft specifies that each car door (excluding the tailgate) must be equipped with a mechanical external handle [1]. - Non-collision side doors must be operable without tools through the external handle [1]. - The external handle must provide a hand operation space of no less than 60×20×25 millimeters in any state [1]. Group 2: Industry Impact - If the draft is finalized, it will mandate the removal of all hidden door handle designs from vehicles on the market [1].

Core Viewpoint - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) of China has released a draft for mandatory national standards on automotive door handles, aiming to enhance safety and address new technological demands in electric vehicles [2][3]. Group 1: New Standards and Requirements - The draft requires that both internal and external door handles must have a mechanical release function, allowing doors to be opened in case of an accident while locked [2]. - External door handles must provide a hand operation space of at least 60mm x 20mm x 25mm, equating to a minimum of 30 cubic centimeters [2]. Group 2: Impact on Automotive Industry - The new standards may lead to a ban on fully concealed door handles commonly found in electric vehicles, potentially resulting in a return to traditional mechanical door handles [3]. - In April, approximately 60% of the top 100 selling electric vehicle models in China featured concealed door handles, which are perceived as aesthetically pleasing but have raised safety concerns among consumers [4][6]. Group 3: Industry Response - Multiple automotive companies, including Geely and Leap Motor, have expressed their commitment to comply with the new regulations and are adapting their designs accordingly [6][8]. - Geely has been involved in the research and formulation of these standards and has developed various technical solutions to meet the new requirements [6].

Core Points - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has proposed a mandatory national standard for automotive door handles, specifically addressing safety requirements for external door handles [1][3] - The new standard prohibits fully concealed door handles, which have been widely adopted in popular electric vehicle models [1][3] - The standard aims to enhance safety by ensuring that all vehicles are equipped with mechanical release door handles to mitigate risks during emergencies [3][6] Group 1: Regulatory Changes - The proposed standard specifies that the operational space for external door handles must not be less than 60mm×20mm×25mm, effectively banning fully concealed designs [1][3] - The implementation date for the new regulations is set for January 1, 2027, with a transition period allowing existing models to comply by July 1, 2028 [6] Group 2: Industry Impact - Approximately 60% of the top 100 electric vehicle models in China currently feature concealed door handles, indicating a significant need for manufacturers to adapt to the new regulations [4] - Major automotive companies, including Toyota, are planning to integrate mechanical door handles into their designs to comply with the new safety standards [6]

Core Viewpoint - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has proposed a mandatory national standard for automotive door handles, which aims to eliminate fully concealed door handles due to safety concerns [1][2]. Group 1: Safety Concerns - Fully concealed door handles have been found to pose various safety risks, including insufficient strength, potential control logic failures, and difficulties in operation during emergencies [2][3]. - Issues such as power failure during collisions can render electric door handles inoperable, complicating rescue efforts in emergencies like fires or accidents [2][3]. Group 2: Regulatory Changes - The new standard mandates that each car door must be equipped with a mechanical release function for the door handle, ensuring that doors can be opened without tools in case of emergencies [3][5]. - The proposed implementation date for the new regulations is January 1, 2027, with a transition period allowing manufacturers to comply by July 1, 2028, for already approved models [5]. Group 3: Industry Impact - Approximately 60% of the top 100 electric vehicle models in China currently feature concealed door handles, indicating a significant need for manufacturers to adjust their designs in response to the new regulations [4][5]. - Companies like Toyota are already planning to integrate mechanical handles within concealed designs to enhance safety in case of collisions [5].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the impending ban on fully hidden door handles in cars due to safety concerns, highlighting the shift from aesthetic appeal to safety requirements in automotive design [4][12]. Regulatory Changes - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released a draft titled "Safety Technical Requirements for Automotive Door Handles," mandating that every car door must have a mechanical release function and designated operational space [2][15]. - The draft aims to address new safety needs and standardize door handle safety, reflecting a response to the risks associated with electric hidden door handles [3][12]. Historical Context - Hidden door handles have been used since the 1950s, initially in racing to reduce drag and optimize aerodynamics [6]. - The design gained popularity in the electric vehicle era, marketed as a "range assistant," although its functional benefits were minimal [7]. Safety Concerns - The hidden door handles pose significant safety risks, particularly in extreme accident scenarios where power loss prevents the handles from functioning, delaying rescue efforts [9][10]. - Reports indicate a threefold increase in incidents related to door handle issues since 2020, with 90% involving hidden designs [11]. Design Evolution - The transition away from hidden door handles reflects a broader trend in automotive design prioritizing safety over aesthetics, similar to past design revolutions that favored safety features [13][18]. - The article emphasizes that effective design should balance safety and aesthetics, suggesting that retaining mechanical functions can lead to more mature design innovations [17][18].

Core Viewpoint - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in China has proposed a draft regulation that mandates the inclusion of mechanical release door handles in vehicles, signaling the end of the fully hidden door handle design due to safety concerns [1][4]. Group 1: Regulatory Changes - The draft regulation requires each car door to be equipped with a mechanical release door handle and specifies the need for clear operational space [1]. - The regulation aims to enhance the safety of door handles in response to new technologies and safety demands in the automotive industry [1][4]. Group 2: Historical Context and Design Evolution - Fully hidden door handles were initially popularized in the 1950s for their aerodynamic benefits in racing, but their functional value has diminished in modern electric vehicles [3]. - The design was once seen as a symbol of technological advancement and identity, particularly in models like the Tesla Model S, but has now raised significant safety concerns [3][4]. Group 3: Safety Concerns - Reports indicate a threefold increase in rescue delays due to door handle issues since 2020, with 90% of these incidents involving hidden designs [4]. - Testing shows that vehicles with electronic door handles have a significantly lower success rate (67%) in door operation after side collisions compared to mechanical handles (98%) [4]. Group 4: Industry Trends - The shift back to mechanical door handles reflects a broader trend in the automotive industry where safety and reliability are prioritized over aesthetic design [4][5]. - The article draws parallels with the aviation industry, where mechanical systems are retained for safety even in advanced electronic systems, suggesting a similar approach may benefit automotive design [5].

Core Points - Tesla is facing scrutiny due to issues with its electronic door handles, which have reportedly malfunctioned, leading to safety concerns for passengers, including children being trapped inside vehicles [1][5] - The U.S. authorities are investigating approximately 174,000 Tesla vehicles for potential risks associated with the electronic door handle failures, which could result in recalls if deemed unsafe [5] - The irony lies in Tesla's initial popularity for its hidden door handle design, which has now become a point of contention and potential regulatory change [5] Group 1: Design and Safety Concerns - The hidden door handle design, while aesthetically pleasing and aimed at reducing wind resistance, has raised significant safety concerns, particularly in cold weather where handles may freeze [6][12] - Reports indicate that incidents of accidents due to door handle failures have increased by 47% year-on-year, with hidden door handles accounting for 82% of these cases [13] - Testing shows that electronic door handles have a success rate of only 67% in side-impact collisions, compared to 98% for traditional mechanical handles, highlighting a significant safety gap [13][17] Group 2: Regulatory Changes and Market Trends - A draft national standard is expected to ban fully hidden door handles, allowing only semi-hidden and traditional designs, with a transition period until July 2027 [5][18] - The automotive industry may shift towards semi-hidden door handles as a compromise between aesthetics and safety, with several new models already adopting this design [20][23] - The market is likely to see a decline in fully hidden door handles, prompting manufacturers to reassess their design strategies to prioritize safety alongside modern aesthetics [20][26]