Tesla Popularized Hidden Door Handles. Why Is China Now Banning Them?
Nearly 3 million Teslas are being recalled in China. Not because of their batteries. Not because of their electric motors. And not because the cars suddenly stopped driving. The problem sounds much smaller. Opening the door. Chinese regulators say emergency mechanical door releases inside certain Tesla vehicles can be difficult to identify and operate. Normally, that doesn't sound like a major problem. Press a button. The door opens. But imagine a serious crash. The car loses low-voltage electrical power. The electronic door button no longer works. Now the passenger needs the mechanical emergency release. And that is probably the worst possible moment to start asking: “Where is the door handle?” China is recalling 2,975,910 Tesla vehicles over the issue. But this story is bigger than Tesla. Around 4.3 million vehicles from Tesla and eight other automakers are involved in China's wider door-safety recall. It is the largest automotive recall in the country...