China to ban hidden car door handles by 2027 over safety concerns.

Beginning on January 1, 2027, cars sold in China will not be allowed to have flush-mounted, hidden door handles. Instead, all new cars must have mechanical door release mechanisms both inside and outside for safety. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the regulation in response to instances in which electronic handles malfunctioned in emergency situations, such as a burning Xiaomi EV that resulted in a fatal crash in Chengdu. The new requirements include permanent markings on interior handles, and vehicles already authorized for sale have until 2029 to comply. The action reflects increased scrutiny of such features worldwide and is motivated by safety concerns about streamlined designs that might impede emergency access.