A driver has perished in a fire following a collision in his Xiaomi SU7 Ultra in Chengdu. Witnesses were unable to open the doors, sparking renewed criticism of electronic handles and the design of electric vehicles. Following the incident, Xiaomi’s stock fell by 8%.
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A Nighttime Crash, a Burning Vehicle, and a Trapped Driver
At around 3 AM in Chengdu, a Xiaomi SU7 Ultra crashed into the median after trying to dodge another car. The collision immediately led to a fire. The driver, a 31-year-old man, died at the scene. Local police report he was under the influence of alcohol. Social media footage shows bystanders attempting to break the windows or open the doors to help, but to no avail. The fire quickly engulfed the cabin.
Locked Doors and Reinforced Windows: A Deadly Trap?
The issue at hand is not just the accident itself, but the inability for impromptu rescuers to intervene. The electronic door handles of the SU7 Ultra, similar to those found on Tesla models, could not be activated. The ultra-strong windows also did not break. Several videos captured people kicking and elbowing the glass without any impact. The fire consumed everything before firefighters arrived, who had to cut through the vehicle to retrieve the body.
Another Tragedy for Xiaomi Auto in Recent Months
This isn’t the first time a Xiaomi SU7 has been involved in a fatal accident. Just last March, three students died in another crash involving the vehicle’s driving assistance system. Since then, the manufacturer had recalled over 100,000 vehicles. This latest incident rekindles criticism regarding the vehicle’s design, particularly the accessibility of doors during emergencies.
Immediate Impact on Xiaomi
The crash resulted in Xiaomi’s stocks plunging by over 8%. The timing is particularly sensitive as China is currently finalizing new safety standards for door handles, with some regulators considering banning fully retractable models. This tragedy will likely hasten their implementation. In the United States, the NHTSA is conducting a similar investigation into certain Tesla models.
What’s Being Said?
The concerns raised are valid: what good is passive safety if it becomes an obstacle during rescue efforts? The aesthetics and aerodynamics of flush handles should not override the ability to exit or assist an occupant in danger. I’ll give you a personal example. I’m diabetic. It’s not uncommon for diabetics to have episodes in cars, often requiring roadside emergency assistance (which is why many diabetics never activate automatic door locks). If I were to have an episode tomorrow, and no one could get me out of the car due to retractable handles, needless to say, I’d be furious (assuming I make it out alive).