China plans to ban hidden door handles and foldable screens in cars
Beijing's industry ministry has proposed strict draft rules: physical buttons for lights and wipers, at least 30,000 test kilometers and a year of climate testing. Poorly tested models could face recalls.
Graphic: TERRA WORLD NEWS (own graphic based on the sources listed)
China wants to tighten the rules for designing and testing new cars. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology published a draft on Oct. 10 together with the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and market regulator SAMR; comments are open until Nov. 10. According to Reuters, officials said some manufacturers had rushed out new models without enough validation.
Fully concealed door handles, already banned under a standard from Jan. 1, 2027, as well as foldable and flexible displays would be prohibited. Lights, wipers and demisting must keep physical controls alongside touch controls. Reclining, swivel and bed functions of seats must be locked while the car is moving, and only the driver may operate doors, hood and headlights by voice or other new methods while driving. In August, the market regulator recalled 4.3 million cars over hidden door handles, according to Paultan.
Passenger cars would need at least 30,000 kilometers of reliability testing and at least one year of climate testing following a “two winters and one summer” pattern before approval. Carmakers must inspect traction batteries, motors, electronic controls and cockpit systems themselves rather than relying on supplier reports. From Jan. 1, 2027, new models with novel designs need additional evidence, and approved models must file it by July 1, 2027. Those that fail to do so and pose safety risks must halt production and recall vehicles, the draft says. Cars that reach 100 km/h in under five seconds must also meet the GB 7258 standard, according to Paultan.