Post by : Rameen Ariff

A tragic accident involving a Xiaomi SU7 electric car in Chengdu, China, has raised new safety concerns about electric vehicle door handles. The crash occurred on Monday when the car caught fire, and bystanders were unable to rescue the driver because the doors failed to open in time.

Police said the driver, a 31-year-old man identified as Deng, was suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol. He reportedly crashed into another car and crossed over a road divider before the vehicle burst into flames. Unfortunately, Deng died at the scene.

Although police did not officially confirm the car model, videos and reports circulating on Chinese social media platforms like Weibo indicate that the vehicle involved was a Xiaomi SU7. Footage from the scene showed the car completely engulfed in fire while onlookers desperately tried to break in and save the driver.

Following the incident, Xiaomi’s stock dropped nearly 9% before recovering slightly later in the day. The company has yet to issue an official statement regarding the accident.

This tragic event comes just months after another fatal accident involving a Xiaomi SU7, which also led to public debate about the safety of smart-driving technology and the design of electric vehicle door handles.

Experts and social media users are now questioning whether the powered door handles used in EVs could pose risks during emergencies. Some regulators, including those in China and the United States, are already investigating similar issues involving other electric car manufacturers such as Tesla.

Analysts suggest that while this crash could temporarily impact Xiaomi’s stock, police findings indicating driver error might limit long-term financial effects. Despite the incident, Xiaomi’s progress in the EV and smartphone markets remains strong, with experts noting that the company’s overall growth potential is still positive.

#Global