3 ms·

China to ban hidden car door handles made popular by Tesla in world first

15 points by randycupertino 9mo ago

jqpabc123 9mo ago
A monument to Tesla's design and engineering prowess is a marketing gimmick that compromises user safety.
- randycupertino 9mo ago
  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 https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/10/business/angela-chao-death
- andsoitis 9mo ago
  > 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.
  - jqpabc123 9mo ago
    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.
    - andsoitis 9mo ago
      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.
      - jqpabc123 9mo ago
        Tesla was arguably the first major automotive brand to introduce electronic door handles back in 2012 https://www.techradar.com/vehicle-tech/hybrid-electric-vehicles/pop-out-car-door-handles-could-finally-disappear-for-good-as-tesla-responds-to-global-backlash-about-their-safety https://www.techradar.com/vehicle-tech/hybrid-electric-vehic...
        andsoitis 9mo ago
        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.
        jqpabc123 9mo ago
        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.
pwg 9mo ago
Good
ChrisArchitect 9mo ago
Earlier: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46857456 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46857456

jqpabc123 9mo ago

A monument to Tesla's design and engineering prowess is a marketing gimmick that compromises user safety.

randycupertino 9mo ago
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 https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/10/business/angela-chao-death
andsoitis 9mo ago
> 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.
- jqpabc123 9mo ago
  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.
  - andsoitis 9mo ago
    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.
    - jqpabc123 9mo ago
      Tesla was arguably the first major automotive brand to introduce electronic door handles back in 2012 https://www.techradar.com/vehicle-tech/hybrid-electric-vehicles/pop-out-car-door-handles-could-finally-disappear-for-good-as-tesla-responds-to-global-backlash-about-their-safety https://www.techradar.com/vehicle-tech/hybrid-electric-vehic...
      - andsoitis 9mo ago
        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.
        jqpabc123 9mo ago
        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.

pwg 9mo ago

Good

ChrisArchitect 9mo ago

Earlier: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46857456 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46857456