China Proposes Tighter Vehicle Design Rules, Keeps Concealed-Handle Ban
· Automotive & EV · China
China has proposed tighter vehicle design rules that reiterate a ban on fully concealed door handles and target foldable screens, according to a new draft. A mandatory national standard already bans fully concealed door handles; the new draft would further link design safety assessments to vehicle approvals. The proposal reflects regulatory concern that certain styling and interior features may compromise safety or emergency egress. For automakers selling in China, the change means design choices around handles and screens could affect whether models win approval, adding a compliance dimension to features that have become selling points in the EV era.
Why it matters：Regulators are starting to treat EV-era design features as safety questions, which could force global automakers to rethink styling choices they have rolled out across many markets.
Key points
- The draft reiterates the existing ban on fully concealed door handles.
- It targets foldable screens in vehicle interiors.
- It would link design safety assessments to vehicle approvals.
Sources (original reporting)
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