China Moves To Ban Retractable Door Handles And Change The Global Auto Industry
The automotive world has spent the last decade embracing a design trend that might soon be illegal in its largest market. Flush door handles that pop out electronically were meant to improve aerodynamics and give cars a futuristic look. This feature became a signature element for electric vehicles and luxury brands aiming for a sleek appearance. It now appears that this design experiment is ending due to significant safety risks.
The core issue lies in how these systems behave when a vehicle loses power or suffers structural damage. Traditional handles provide a physical lever that works regardless of the vehicle’s electrical state or battery condition. Electronic flush handles can remain trapped inside the door panel during collisions or total battery failures. This design flaw creates a dangerous barrier for first responders attempting to extract injured occupants from a wrecked car.
China is leveraging its position as the world’s largest auto market to force a return to mechanical reliability. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has released draft regulations that will ban fully retractable handles on new cars. These rules are expected to be implemented fully by the start of 2027. Manufacturers will be required to ensure that all door handles have a mechanical operating mode that is easily accessible from the outside.
Prominent industry leaders are already supporting the move away from this dangerous trend. Wei Jianjun of Great Wall Motor has publicly criticized the handles for being prone to freezing in winter and offering poor reliability. Investigations by local media outlets like Mingjing Pro highlight that automakers are rushing to adjust their future production plans. Safety testing data has shown a worrying disparity in reliability between electronic and mechanical opening mechanisms during crash simulations.
This policy change will inevitably reshape the global automotive landscape. Major international brands like Tesla and Mercedes-Benz will have to redesign their flagship models to remain compliant. The cost of maintaining two separate door designs for different markets is likely prohibitive for most manufacturers. The result will likely be a worldwide shift back to visible and manually operable door handles.
Do you prefer the sleek look of retractable handles or do you think the safety risks make them a bad idea? Please let me know your thoughts in the comments.
