When we think about modern car design, sleek door handles often come to mind. They tuck neatly into the car’s body, giving a smooth, futuristic look. But this design choice, especially in some models, is sparking a serious conversation across the auto world. Sadly, this talk is fueled by tragic incidents, with some deaths directly tied to how these doors open. It’s becoming clear it’s time for a major rethink.
Some of these stylish handles, it turns out, aren’t very easy to figure out. This is a big problem when every second counts, like in an emergency. With several high-profile incidents making headlines, one company keeps popping up in the debate: Tesla. As a major player, its cars have been central to some of these worrying events.
Good news for those concerned: Franz von Holzhausen, who leads design at Tesla, has stepped forward. He recently confirmed his team is busy creating new door handles. The goal? To make them much simpler to use, even when someone is in a “panic situation,” as reported by Bloomberg. This move signals a possible shift away from purely aesthetic choices toward a better blend of form and function.
Will Hidden Handles Become a Thing of the Past?
Tesla isn’t alone in this design reconsideration. Rivian, another innovative car maker, is also looking hard at its door handles. Reports from Bloomberg say both employees and customers have raised questions about their current designs. It seems the sleek, hidden look might be causing some worries.
Rivian might bring in a new manual system for opening and unlocking doors. This system could be closer to the electric door releases, especially on the R2’s back doors. A key part of the planned change is making these manual overrides “clearly visible.” This would be a big shift for the R2. The current design, similar to the R1 and Tesla’s Model Y, asks passengers to find an unmarked panel, remove it, and then pull a release cable.
When asked about these concerns, Rivian stated that “safety is at the core of everything we do.” They added that their upcoming R2 electric crossover will either meet or surpass all Federal Automotive Safety Standards. This includes ensuring passengers can get out of all doors in case of a crash or other emergency.
Could these design revisions from Tesla and Rivian mark the start of a broader trend? It seems automakers are realizing that, sometimes, practicality and safety must take precedence over pure visual flair.