China bans hidden car door handles... Options

[JeffBowlsby]

https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/03/china/china-...-tesla-intl-hnk

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2026/02/china-...ting-next-year/

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/yawn.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumb3d.gif) Back to the future, we've got this.

[Shivers]

Makes sense. I had not heard that was an issue.

[SirAndy]

I mean, a door opener that's barely visible from the outside (if at all) and requires electricity to work.

What could possibly go wrong?
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[Montreal914]

Isn’t the steering on the Tesla truck electrically driven?
I thought I had seen a video where a rapid motion of the steering wheel left-right resulted in a delayed motion of the wheels left-right? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[bkrantz]

I mean, a door opener that's barely visible from the outside (if at all) and requires electricity to work.

What could possibly go wrong?
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Combine those with gull-wing or scissor style doors in a roll-over, and things will get very interesting.

[Front yard mechanic]

I can retro fit your Tesla for 50.00 plus parts just pay for my plane flight anywhere in the world

[ClayPerrine]

I mean, a door opener that's barely visible from the outside (if at all) and requires electricity to work.

What could possibly go wrong?
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Combine those with gull-wing or scissor style doors in a roll-over, and things will get very interesting.

When Mercedes built a new version of the Gull Wing (The SLS) a few years ago, they had to put explosive bolts on the door hinges. That way if it rolled over, you could blow the doors off of it so you could get out.

https://carbuzz.com/how-mercedes-amg-made-m...ing-doors-safe/

[Jeff_72]

Yeah, this is about being able to open doors after an accident. There have been a couple of deaths (both in China and here in the US) where first responders couldn't get the doors open.

[flipb]

It sounds like it's not just a matter of those that electrically "present" (slide out) like early Teslas, but also those that are flush to the body. Some of those are electronic releases and some mechanical -- sounds like it doesn't matter under the Chinese reg, and makes you wonder if the US would follow suit.

Think about all the exotics that had hidden door releases for a clean look. I wouldn't be surprised if carmakers opt for something like the 914 handle design so it doesn't protrude and cause drag.

On the interior, the early Model S (front doors) had a good solution -- a pull-handle that engages an electronic release at one point, then engages a mechanical release if you pull farther. Unfortunately they moved away from that elegant solution to have an electronic release button, and a separate, more obscure mechanical release in a different spot.

[Maltese Falcon]

Detroit Autorama , Annual Pomona Fairgrounds Roadster show, 99% of these entries, maybe all of the 'Riddler Awarded cars= Solenoid operated door openers. Guess you can't drive 'em in China (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/marty914.jpg)

[wonkipop]

I mean, a door opener that's barely visible from the outside (if at all) and requires electricity to work.

What could possibly go wrong?
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Combine those with gull-wing or scissor style doors in a roll-over, and things will get very interesting.

the solution in the lamboghini countach was to kick the windscreen out.
there is a myth that a hammer was provided in the glovebox, but its not true, just a tall story. mind you owners might have put a hammer in there themselves.

i think when the car was being tested as an early prototype the test driver or chief engineer ended up in an accident where he rolled the car. he had to kick his way out via the windscreen.

but really any car can screw you in a roll over.
famous case in point was the late sir frank williams (williams F1).
rollled a rental ford sierra station wagon driving back from a race weekend.
none of the doors would open on the drivers side due to roof collapse and were crushed down anyway.
passenger side was wedged against a rock.
i believe the passenger was peter windsor.
not sure how he got out, either through the windscreen or the tailgate.
they got sir frank out via the tailgate. suffering a broken neck.
and all the while there was fuel leaking everywhere.
so.......any car can get you in that situation if the crash is bad enough.
you just kick the windows in or kick them out.
usually the windscreen will be an easier thing to break than the door glass.

[bkrantz]

Or we could return to olden times with open cars, and the idea that it was better to be thrown out before the collision.