## 📈 China to Ban Hidden Car Door Handles by 2027

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has announced a ban on hidden/flush door handles starting January 1, 2027, citing critical safety concerns. This shift impacts the global automotive and EV supply chains, where minimalist designs have become an industry standard. • New Safety Regulations: All vehicles (excluding tailgates) must feature both interior and exterior mechanical releases. This ensures doors remain operable during power failures or post-crash emergencies. • Compliance Timeline: New models must comply by 2027, while previously approved models are granted a two-year extension to phase out existing designs. • Industry Context: Popularized by Tesla in 2012, these handles reduce drag but have faced scrutiny following high-profile accidents, including a fatal crash involving a Xiaomi EV where rescuers could not open the doors. • Global Impact: As the world’s largest EV market and home to BYD (now the global leader in EV sales), China’s regulatory shift will likely force a design pivot across the manufacturing and automotive electronics sectors worldwide. _Note: Based on official MIIT policy announcements as of Feb 2026._ ---