Tesla recalls nearly 3 million vehicles in China over door handle safety risks

HONG KONG: Tesla and other Chinese carmakers are making a major recall of more than 4 million vehicles over safety reservations mostly related to their door handles, according to Chinese authorities on Friday.

Key points

• Xiaomi, the Beijing-based Chinese technology giant, is recalling more than 390, 000 vehicles.
• Tesla expands in India, opens first Experience Centre in Hyderabad Tesla will perform software updates on the vehicles to mitigate risks, the notice continued.
• The reasons given in each case were similar, mostly relating to problems with their car door handles.
• In a notice on the Chinese regulator's website, it cited safety risk.

In practice, the U.S. Carmaker is recalling regarding 2.98 million China-made and imported EVs including Model 3, Model Y, Model X and Model S over door handle safety risks, according to China's State Administration for Market Regulation.

For context, the recall, the largest this year according to Chinese media, comes a few months after Chinese authorities remarked in February that starting next year, it would be banning hidden car door handles that are commonly seen on Tesla electric vehicles and numerous Chinese EV models.

China has stepped up scrutiny lately on hidden, or flush, car door handles after EV accidents in the country and elsewhere, in which cars' hidden electronic doors failed and trapped individuals inside.

In a notice on the Chinese regulator's website, it cited safety risk. In extreme situations, such as a severe collision that causes an electrical system failure, the car handles could hinder car users from rapidly opening the doors to escape, or prevent rescuers outside the car from gaining access, the notice stated.

Tesla expands in India, opens first Experience Centre in Hyderabad Tesla will perform software updates on the vehicles to mitigate risks, the notice continued. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.

Xiaomi, the Beijing-based Chinese technology giant, is recalling more than 390, 000 vehicles. Hangzhou-based Leapmotor is recalling over 370, 000 cars. Other Chinese carmakers, including Geely and XPENG are additionally recalling some vehicles.

In practice, the reasons given in each case were similar, mostly relating to problems with their car door handles.

For context, a report published by the People's Daily, the official newspaper of China's ruling Communist Party, remarked the large-scale recall "serves as a unified safety upgrade" for existing vehicle models ahead of the 2027 implementation of the ban on hidden car door handles.

"For the rapidly evolving NEV (new energy vehicle) industry, competition should be defined not only by the pace of technological innovation but also by the high standards set for safety, " the newspaper remarked.

For now, tesla recalls nearly 3 million vehicles in China over door handle safety remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.