TLDR
- A fatal crash involving a Xiaomi SU7 electric sedan in Chengdu, China on Monday killed a 31-year-old driver after bystanders could not open the electronically-operated doors to rescue him before the car burst into flames
- Police stated the driver was suspected of drunk driving when he crashed into another vehicle and veered over a median before the car caught fire
- Xiaomi shares dropped as much as 8.7% on Monday, the steepest decline since April, following the incident
- The crash has renewed concerns about electronic door handles in EVs that cannot be opened when the car loses power, unless manual releases are located
- US regulators are investigating Tesla Model Y door handles while China is reportedly considering a ban on fully concealed electronic door handle designs
A fatal crash involving a Xiaomi SU7 electric sedan in Chengdu, China has brought renewed attention to the safety of electronic door handles in electric vehicles. The incident occurred on Monday when a 31-year-old driver crashed and died after bystanders were unable to open the car doors before it caught fire.
At around 3:16 a.m. today, a Xiaomi SU7 was involved in a serious accident on Tianfu Avenue in Chengdu, followed by a fire that tragically claimed the driver’s life.
Videos from the scene show the driver trapped inside while bystanders repeatedly tried to open the doors and… pic.twitter.com/01BfjoWzbN
— ChinaEV Home (@CNEVhome) October 13, 2025
Chengdu police identified the driver as a man surnamed Deng. Authorities stated he was suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol when the crash happened.
According to the police statement, Deng crashed into another car and drove over a planted median. The vehicle then caught fire with Deng still inside.
Video footage circulating on Chinese social media platform Weibo showed the SU7 engulfed in flames. Bystanders at the scene attempted to rescue the driver but could not open the doors.
Personnel eventually used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. Deng died at the scene, according to police.
Stock Market Reaction
Xiaomi shares fell sharply following the incident. The stock dropped as much as 8.7% on the Hong Kong stock exchange Monday morning.
This marked the company’s steepest single-day decline since April. The shares later recovered some losses but still closed down over 5%.
Xiaomi did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the crash. The company manufactures consumer electronics, software, and electric vehicles.
This is not the first fatal crash involving a Xiaomi SU7. An earlier incident this year on a Chinese expressway raised questions about the vehicle’s smart driving systems.
Electronic Door Handle Concerns
The crash has reignited debate about electronic door handles in electric vehicles. These handles rely on sensors and electricity to operate.
Unlike mechanical door handles, electronic versions can fail when a car loses power. This can happen during crashes or fires.
Most EVs with electronic handles include manual release mechanisms for emergencies. However, these manual releases vary in placement across different vehicle models.
The location of manual releases can be difficult for people unfamiliar with the vehicle to find. First responders outside the car may not be able to access them at all.
Social media users in China are questioning the safety of electronically-powered door handles on Xiaomi and other EVs. The design has become common in modern electric vehicles.
Tesla popularized the electronic door handle design. Many EV manufacturers have since adopted similar systems.
Chinese state-backed media reported in late September that regulators are considering a ban on fully concealed electronic door handle designs. This would address safety risks linked to the feature.
In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched an investigation into Tesla Model Y door handles in September. The probe covers approximately 174,000 vehicles.
The US investigation came after reports of door handle failures. A recent investigation by Bloomberg News documented incidents where people were injured or died after being unable to open Tesla doors when the vehicles lost power.
Kenny Ng, a strategist at China Everbright Securities International, said the police statement suggesting driver error could help limit stock decline. He added that current market softness could weigh on the stock in the near term.
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