China to ban hidden car door handles made popular by Tesla in world first
cnn.com15 points by randycupertino 8 hours ago
15 points by randycupertino 8 hours ago
A monument to Tesla's design and engineering prowess is a marketing gimmick that compromises user safety.
The USA Transportation Secretary's own sister died drowning in a Tesla unable to get out or open the doors for over 24 minutes: https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/10/business/angela-chao-death
> A monument to Tesla's design and engineering prowess is a marketing gimmick that compromises user safety.
You do know that flush door handles are to found across the automobile industry, right?
Range Rover, Jaguar, Hyundai/Kia, Ford, Nissan, Honda. Chinese heavyweights Xiaomi and Aion do it too.
You do know that not all flush door handles are a problem, right?
The problem is *electrically operated* door handles --- ones that will not function when power is absent --- for example, after an accident or being submerged in water.
Tesla "fixed" something that wasn't broken.
It isn't just a Tesla thing, no matter how much you want to believe it.
According to reports, the following cars will be affected by the new regulation:
- Xiaomi SU7, various models from BYD, Geely, and SAIC
- Tesla models 3 and Y
- BMW iX3, Kia EV6, models from Hyundai, Nissan, Porsche, VW, and GM
China will ban fully hidden, electronic-only, or retractable door handles on electric vehicles (EVs) starting January 1, 2027. All car doors will be required to feature a functional, accessible mechanical release for safety.
Tesla was arguably the first major automotive brand to introduce electronic door handles back in 2012
https://www.techradar.com/vehicle-tech/hybrid-electric-vehic...
Yes, EV and other automobile companies have copied Tesla on this and many other things.
Doesn't mean Tesla is responsible for their choices.
Especially 13 years later when we have a lot more data (do we?) that these style door handles are statistically more dangerous than alternatives.
It is a Tesla thing. It was their idea --- they introduced it, marketed it and popularized it --- no matter how much you want to believe otherwise.
Others are responsible for being being foolish enough to copy their flawed design which prioritizes aesthetics over functionality.
Good