A fatal crash involving a Xiaomi SU7 electric sedan in the southwestern city of Chengdu has raised new questions about the safety of electronic car doors, after reports that the vehicle's doors failed to open following impact.
Police said preliminary findings suggest the 31-year-old driver, surnamed Deng, was under the influence of alcohol when he struck another car, crossed a median, and crashed before the vehicle caught fire. Deng died at the scene, according to Bloomberg.
Videos shared widely on Chinese social media showed the SU7 engulfed in flames as bystanders tried unsuccessfully to open its doors. A National Business Daily report said the driver was trapped inside the car. Authorities have not confirmed the total number of casualties or injuries.
Market and industry implications
Xiaomi shares fell as much as 8.7% in Hong Kong on Monday, their steepest intraday drop since April, before trimming losses. The company has not issued a public response.
The accident follows another fatal SU7 crash earlier this year on a Chinese expressway, which also led to scrutiny of Xiaomi's smart driving technology. Analysts said that while police findings of drunk driving may limit reputational damage, safety concerns about EV door systems could have a more lasting impact.
Spotlight on electronic door handles
The Chengdu incident is expected to intensify scrutiny of electronically controlled door handles and other features that deploy automatically or remain flush with the vehicle body until activated.
Such designs, popularized by Tesla, have come under regulatory pressure. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a defect probe in September into Tesla Model Y door handles after reports that passengers were unable to exit vehicles following crashes or power failures. A Bloomberg News investigation linked several deaths to such failures.
Chinese regulators are reportedly studying whether to restrict or ban fully concealed door handles, underscoring rising official concern over design choices that may compromise escape in emergencies.
Article edited by Jack Wu
