China’s Largest Ever Recall Should be a Warning to Automakers China’s recent decision to recall millions of vehicles not only highlights safety concerns about recessed door handles but also problems associated with replacing any traditional mechanical system with electronically dependent alternatives. If you’ve been vacationing on another planet this week, China just issued the largest automotive recall in the nation’s history. The regulatory action targets an estimated 4.3 million cars and focuses around concerns that electronic door handles can malfunction during an accident, potentially trapping occupants inside a burning or sinking vehicle. The decision comes after numerous reports where emergency crews claimed that fatal accidents could have been prevented if manufacturers had provided a better way for the victims to exit the vehicle. The concern was that electronic doors can malfunction due to being reliant on some form of battery power. Electrical shorts can take place when a vehicle drives into a body of water, effectively trapping a person inside the vehicle. Wiring connections can likewise become disconnected as a result of a severe crash or sudden fire. However, the Chinese government also expressed concerns about recessed door handles being a recurring problem for emergency crews. Updated regulations would effectively ban flush-mounted door handles in China, starting in 2027, unless they featured a reliable and easily accessible mechanical backup system. The same goes for the vehicle interior, as there were likewise worries that a dazed or panicked individual would have difficulty with fine motor skills. Whether inside or outside, China wants conspicuous and simple ways of entering/exiting an automobile. While the recall hits electric vehicle manufacturers the hardest, it’s certainly not limited to them. Brands like Tesla, Xiaomi, Geely, Leapmotor, and Xpeng (among others) will all need to take back vehicles to address updated regulations as China becomes the first