China Recalls About 4.3 Million Vehicles in OTA Push

China has launched its largest automotive recall, affecting about 4.3 million vehicles across nine automakers, with Tesla bearing the heaviest burden at roughly 2.98 million cars due to interior emergency door releases that blend with trim and could hinder escape in a crash. The recalls, which involve warning labels and over-the-air software updates to improve door-access visibility and post-accident window operation, come ahead of a 2027 ban on concealed door handles in China. Other manufacturers, including Xiaomi, Leapmotor, Geely, and XPENG, are recalling hundreds of thousands of vehicles for similar door-handle visibility issues as regulatory scrutiny tightens on EV design. The drive behind the moves reflects broader safety concerns in both China and the U.S., where regulators and lawmakers are considering or implementing new standards to ensure obvious or mechanical door releases remain operable after a crash. Separately, Tesla is also facing a U.S. safety focus on driver monitoring and other recalls tied to assisted-driving features, underscoring a wider push for safety enhancements in electric vehicles.