A Malaysian automotive repair trade veteran backed China’s move to outlaw hidden exterior door handles, arguing that obvious, grab-and-pull hardware still matters when a crash turns chaotic, The Star reported.
Negri Sembilan and Melaka Automobile Repair Association adviser Datuk Simon Tan Chee Haw told the daily that exterior handles remained a basic safety feature for rapid evacuation and for getting help from outside the car, especially when occupants are injured or disoriented.
He also flagged a more mundane failure mode: a depleted battery that can make electronically actuated latches awkward to access, The Star said.
China is moving forward with its decision to ban hidden door handles or flush door handles.
Starting Jan 1, 2027, all side doors must have an external mechanical-release handle and a mechanical interior release, with the tailgate excluded, under requirements released by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
For models already approved for sale, carmakers have until Jan 1, 2029 to rework designs to comply.
Beijing said the goal was to reduce the risk of occupants being trapped when power is lost or after a severe impact, a concern that has followed several high-profile EV incidents and has drawn scrutiny overseas too.
Analysts expected China’s decision to ripple beyond its borders, since retractable handles are common on premium EVs and redesigns are rarely cheap.
Tesla started the hidden handle design trend and it was soon copied by many Chinese automakers.
