Overview

• Reports from Mingjing Pro, echoed by Car News China and others, say regulators are discussing prohibiting fully retractable flush handles as early as mid‑2027, though no rule is final.
• Safety concerns cited include post‑crash inoperability, short‑circuiting in heavy rain, freezing in cold conditions, and consumer reports of finger injuries.
• Testing by the Chinese Insurance Automotive Technology Research Institute (C‑IASI) found roughly 33% of these handles failed to function after a side impact, raising egress concerns.
• Drafting under discussion would reportedly allow semi‑concealed handles or systems with mechanical redundancies instead of fully retractable powered mechanisms.
• Analysts say a China ban could drive global redesigns given widespread adoption by brands including Tesla and BYD, while the aerodynamic gains are small at about a 0.01 Cd reduction, roughly 1–2 miles of range.