As China bans new cars with unsafe doors, Australia risks becoming a ‘dumping’ ground
From January 1 2026, ... all new cars sold in China will need handles that can be manually opened in an emergency, even when a car has lost power. The US is currently considering a similar move.
The ban followed a series of sometimes fatal incidents, where people were trapped inside burning, flooded or frozen cars, with doors unable to be opened from the outside.
Australia risks becoming a “dumping” ground for electric cars following the introduction of new Chinese safety rules from next year, a report for Australian car dealers has warned.
The Australian Automotive Dealers’ Association – which represents 3,900 new car and truck dealers – recently released an independent report by legal expert Emeritus Professor Jenny Buchan.
It largely focused on problems with drivers getting car repairs done under Australian consumer law. But the report also concluded:
Australia should not ignore the risk of stock dumping following China’s approach to EVs with flush door handles. The US has also recognised the problems flush door handles cause and responded by introducing a bill to the House of Representatives.
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https://theconversation.com/as-china-bans-new-cars-with-unsafe-doors-australia-risks-becoming-a-dumping-ground-287766Open linkView original on mander.xyz
11 replies
Cars are somewhat modular, replace the handle or door.
Australia could solve that problem by also improving its safety laws.
Having door handles that work seems like a no brainer. So i can only assume the designers haven't got any fuckin brains.
Like WTF? Have they seen cars? Anything could happen, and the occupants need to be able to get out in an emergency.
Edit: 'popularised by Tesla.'
I see I was correct. No brains.
I'm sure the designers probably had a genius solution that would open the door in any situation and Elon made them scrap it for a cheaper, more dangerous option.
A few years ago, the naysayers were all saying "Australia will be a dumping ground for ICE vehicles", now "Australia will be a dumping ground for handleless doors". Next it will be "Australia will be a dumping ground for older battery styles" or something equally inane.
Funnily enough, we aren't.
Australia will be a dumping ground for nuclear waste from mcmurica.
As always it will be Africa
Isn't Australia a left-side driving country, China is a right-side one. I don't really understand who would buy those cars in big quantities if they were dumped in Australia
Cars are valuable, the cost of converting from right to left hand drive is not greater than the value of the car, so manufacturers will just adjust costs to account for it.
EVs are pretty much fly-by-wire (autocorrect tried to change to fry-by-wire, LOL) so LH/RH conversions are pretty straightforward.
That said, retrofitting safe door handles is even more straightforward.
Yeah I was gonna say, surely it's not a big job to have… a door? That just opens via handle? I have one already in my car. Several, even