As a person who is around cars a lot, I’m frequently exposed to opportunities that might seem dangerous to normies. Whether it’s leaning over a pit wall as a 900-horsepower race car comes barreling towards me, or it’s getting between other journalists and the shrimpbarrow, I really should be getting hazard pay.
It’s not that stuff that ever worries me. I’ve flown around in Marine helicopters loaded up with ammo, and that was probably less dangerous than just driving around in New York for a week. Modern cars bring modern problems, and the most unsettling is the idea that you could get trapped in your car and not be able to get out for a very dumb reason. The Morning Dump is nothing if not a trend-watcher, and the trend seems to be that people are starting to get that electromechanical doors are bad.
I feel like I’ve written about the EU rolling back its emissions ban a million times, and while it still hasn’t actually happened, there’s now a clearer idea of what the actual impact will be. What’s the outcome of GM’s C-Suite shuffling? Uncertain, but current CEO Mary Barra may have a favorite.
Ending on something fun, it looks like Foxconn finally bought a car company. Nope, it’s not the one you were thinking.
Bloomberg Puts Out A Big Piece On Tesla’s ‘Dangerous Doors’
I don’t seem to be able to embed the video from Bloomberg, so I’ll just link it here. It’s a sobering 20 minutes or so that explains why I check the doors in every new car I get in before I do anything else.
If you read the site regularly, this won’t surprise you. It’s just logical that replacing something as vital as opening a door with some complex system like Tesla has on its vehicles (as you can see in the graphic above, you have to remove a panel in the door pocket to get out if the vehicle loses power) is inviting danger. As Bloomberg editor Craig Trudell explains in a LinkedIn post about this:
Today, we’ve published a video that makes for difficult viewing. We spoke with a mother who, as she puts it, has a hole in her heart that will never heal.
We take you inside the garage of a repair shop owner who’s quipped to his substantial YouTube following that you’re not a “true” Tesla owner until one of your door handles prevents you from entering.
We show you, in this shop owner’s words, “the scary part” — that, if you’re in the back seat of a Tesla that’s lost battery power, your way out may be tucked under a rug, behind a speaker grille or under a plastic flap.
We take you to the scene of a fiery crash where a cluster of bodies were found in the front seat, suggesting to police there was a struggle to escape the burning vehicle.
The Feds are looking into this issue, and Chinese regulators are considering banning them outright. Tesla is apparently working on a way to fix this, and other automakers, like Toyota, already have more obvious release levers. You know works great? Just a mechanical door. While being able to make the door handles flush with the car does have aerodynamic benefits, I don’t think it’s worth it.
I agree with Sam Abuelsamid, who wrote yesterday that “consumers should refuse to buy any vehicle without clearly accessible mechanical door latches and regulators should ban them outright.”
Instead Of A Ban, 35% Of New Cars Sold In The EU Will Probably Have Some Sort Of Combustion Engine After 2035
We’re at over 300 comments on David’s EREV article, and I think it’s worth clarifying a little bit what my position on all of this is. While there’s no specific “Autopian” view on almost anything, in general, we drive electric cars all the time and understand the benefits. Electric cars, in an ideal world where they were cheaper and all apartment complexes had chargers, would make a ton of sense for most people, and the more commuter vehicles that can be transitioned into EVs, the better.
Personally, I’d have bought an electric car (well, cheaply leased a Lyriq or Mach-E) if I had the charging infrastructure around me to make that a possibility. But pretending like everyone would suddenly just buy EVs tomorrow seemed like it was overlooking the necessary transition technologies. If I could press a button and make it possible for people to switch to EVs in an affordable way with all the infrastructure in place, I’d press that button.
The EU tried pressing that button and then realized that, unless it wanted to flood the continent with cheap Chinese cars, an outright ban by 2035 wasn’t going to work. The proposed framework is now for mostly EVs by 2035, with credit given to various technologies, as Automotive News reports:
If the EU’s proposal wins approval from the European Parliament and Council of Europe next year, automakers will have to reduce tailpipe emissions 90 percent from a 2021 baseline, to about 11 grams of CO2 per km, rather than 100 percent.
“Tailpipe” is a critical word: For the first time, automakers can count external, carbon neutral sources toward their fleet emissions — 7 percent can be European-made low-carbon “green” steel, while 3 percent can be from biofuels, e-fuels or hydrogen powering ICE cars.
They would still be subject to fines of €95 per gram of CO2 over the 11 g/km target.
By the European Commission’s own analysis, up to 35 percent of new cars sold after Jan. 1, 2035, could have combustion engines.
Reducing emissions by 100% would be awesome, but reducing them by 90% is also pretty awesome.
Is Sterling Anderson Going To Be The Next GM CEO?
Not since Yul Brynner helmed Matra has a proud man with a shorn head run a major car company. Could that streak finally end with Sterling Anderson, who is reportedly in line for the top job at General Motors?
Anderson joined the company as chief product officer in June after working for Tesla and co-founding the autonomous trucking company Aurora Innovation Inc. The understanding when he was hired, according to people familiar with the matter, was that if Anderson can satisfy Barra’s demand for him to bring cutting-edge software and self-driving technology to GM cars, he has a good shot at succeeding her.
It’s a daunting challenge, but one that draws on the experience of the 42-year-old Anderson. Barra wants him to bring more computing power to every corner of GM’s vehicles, with software controlling more mechanical functions like steering and braking, and to create features that could generate long-term revenue from subscriptions. More broadly, he will also ride herd on a renewed push to make the company’s money-losing electric vehicles profitable.
Anderson’s ascension to the top job has been discussed but isn’t a done deal, and even it it happens, it may not be a quick journey. Barra, who turns 64 next week, isn’t obligated to retire at any age and may well decide to keep going, said the people familiar with her thinking, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. GM President Mark Reuss, 62, also has gas in the tank and could play a role in the succession plan.
I could see Reuss doing it for a short period of time while Anderson takes on the President role, and then transitioning into the job. Also, we’re the same age! A GM CEO my age would feel very strange.
Update: For… reasons, I was sent this comment from a GM spokesperson:
“Sterling came to General Motors in June 2025, and holds the position of Chief Product Officer. Any discussion of a future role is premature and speculative.”
Foxconn Buys Luxgen On The Cheap
Remember when the entire Japanese automotive industry had a minor meltdown over the idea that Taiwanese mega company Foxconn was going to buy Nissan? That didn’t happen. Or, well, it hasn’t happened yet.
In the meantime, Foxconn has looked a little closer to home, according to Nikkei Asia:
Foxtron Vehicle Technologies, a joint venture established by Foxconn and Yulon in 2020, currently focuses on research, development and design of electric vehicles. Following the deal, it will have full access to Luxgen’s assets, including staff, distribution channels, marketing resources and repair and maintenance capacity across the island.
The deal will need to be approved by Taiwan’s Fair Trade Commission and is likely to be reviewed in the first quarter of 2026, the two companies said.
Foxtron CEO Adam Chen said in a press conference on Friday evening that his company will buy a 100% stake in Luxgen and take charge of its operations, “creating a complete EV value chain from products, sales, to services.”
Trying to buy Nissan and ending up with Luxgen is a little like trying to buy the Giants and ending up with the Padres or, well, like trying to buy the Padres and ending up with the Hartford Yard Goats (Go Goats!).
What I’m Listening To While Writing TMD
Yo La Tengo is in the middle of its Hanukkah residency, in which it performs every night and brings out special guests like Matt Beringer or, last night, Norah Jones. I remember being in Austin for that first SXSW where she materialized and, you know what? “Don’t Know Why” still slaps.
The Big Question
What’s an absolute deal-killer when it comes to buying a car?
Top graphic image: Tesla
Flush for aero – outside handle to get in. Killing occupants – interior door handles that are actually switches for electric actuators. How and why are these being conflated?
How did you avoid the temptation to be listening to The Trammps – Disco Inferno?
Deal breakers: If I can get 80% of the cars value to me for half the price on the off lease market, I’m not buying that new car. If a used car has an unpleasant odor in it, I’m not buying that used car.
Deal killer: nonmechanical interfaces where the mechanical option is superior. Viz knobs, buttons, door handles, etc. I won’t buy a new car until sense returns to the industry, which it seems to be doing, if VW and Hyundai executives’ statements are to be believed.
Deal killer: it’s too big, which is virtually every new vehicle in the American market.
The greater public turning against electric door handles is something I never expected. I expected the issue to be something that me and fellow risk-adverse luddites complain about on the internet to no avail. Hopefully the same safety conversations are had about capacitive/touch screen controls.
As far as deal killers. Sunroofs. They waste headroom, eventually leak, and I never enjoyed the noise or sun above my head. Unfortunately, the Honda Civic hybrid only comes with one. So, if I’m in need of basic transportation anytime soon, idk what I’ll do.
“While being able to make the door handles flush with the car does have aerodynamic benefits, I don’t think it’s worth it.”
Off the top of my head I can think of several door handles that are not only completely flush, but 100% mechanical. Some of them date to the 1950s. There is absolutely no need to ever motorise door handles. It’s purely a gimmick.
Studies have determined being alive is too dangerous. Government to regulate being alive.
Regulations wouldn’t be necessary if companies would quit hurting people to make an extra buck. Being alive is dangerous enough without somebody going out of their way to make it worse.
Deal killers are: electro door handles, a glass roof that doesn’t have a nice, solid cover that completely blocks the light, a side window sill that is too high for me to rest my arm on, and the lack of an AM band on the radio. During an emergency like an earthquake, I’m going to want that local news radio.
About glass roofs, why are they shoving these things at us? Is glass cheaper than metal? I really dislike them, they transmit a lot of heat into the cabin even with a cover and every now and then they just shatter on their own into a million pieces because of a tiny flaw in manufacturing.
https://www.motorbiscuit.com/18-car-brands-shattered-roof-glass-not-covered-under-warranty/
You’ve never driven a true sports or super car. To each their own.
No height adjustment on the passenger seat. There’s some expensive cars out there that make your copilot feel like a ten year old. It doesn’t even have to be power, a lever works fine.
“Barra wants him to bring more computing power to every corner of GM’s vehicles, with software controlling more mechanical functions like steering and braking, and to create features that could generate long-term revenue from subscriptions.“
It’s inevitable, I suppose. Blah blah shareholders blah blah. But man alive this is borderline evil.
And Foxconn will be building their new cars in Mount Pleasant Wisconsin cause ex-governor Walker said so. /s
PS Foxconn I mean really? Wily sky Fox and no mater how many n’s a con is a conn
No-gos:
Tablet slapped on the dashPiano black and other glare-inducing finishesRecent peeve:
Climate controls that attempt to maintain a temperature (just give me a good old cold-hot dial so I’m not beholden to your poorly located, unreliable temp sensor)(this would be bundled with my other many peeves that I consider – on balance – in making a purchase decision)
Any Engineer with a brain would design an electronic inside door handle thusly: 1. Use a lever like 99% of cars used to use. 2. Use a light spring to keep the lever in the normal position with an electronic button behind it that is actuated by a gentle pull of the lever. 3. Mount the lever assembly to another hinged base that has a stronger spring, and which connects mechanically to the door latch.
So in normal operation, the action is as familiar as your favorite aunt. And when the car crashes, and catches fire, and the passenger is frantically trying to escape, they will be pulling the same lever, but harder, because they want to get the hell out of there, so the mechanical latch is then activated. Simple, requires no thought on the iccupants’ part.
Another iteration could be a lever with two detents, or two hinge points that accomplish the same thing.
The entire industry should adopt this standard.
*This is a public disclosure of my invention to hopefully withstall any attempts to monetize this, as this should be free for anyone to use for reasons of public safety.*
You Rang? Most new cars with huge info-tainment screens are just a no go. My wife really doesn’t like them either. The door handle issue is just so stupid, with engineers and designers taking something that has worked for over 100 years, a door handle, and adding complication and cost to a simple handle. I hope Tesla and every other company who uses similar tech gets their ass handed to them by the courts.
Absolute deal killer when buying a car for me is seat adjustment, especially lumbar adjustment.
I didn’t care about that in my 20s but now that i’m more than halfway to 50 making myself comfortable tops everything else.
I put 80k miles in 5 years in a Honda Fit and developed sciatica because of the seats, and no matter how much I liked that car, it had to go.
Sorry to hear about the Fit. We’re 70 and love the seats in our 2015. 95k miles, 41 states and counting.
People are so dumb to only realize this now. Education in this country is a joke.
I have always maintained that electric door handles are stupid and dangerous. They are not necessary. It takes very little effort to pull a lever and have the door pop open. They just work. Everyone knows how to use them. You can have flush mechanical exterior door handles. AMC had them in the early 70’s.
You can even still have them open electronically by using an actuator to piggy back off the mechanical system. There’s really no reason not to maintain the door-handle status quo here.
Talbot Lago had them in the ’30s! There have been multiple styles over the decades and I can type with high confidence that every one of them was massively more reliable than the new electronic garbage versions.
As an A380 needs to be able to empty hundreds of passengers in 90 seconds to be certified to fly, I propose a similar new FMVSS requirement that any car certified to be sold needs to pass a test where an average 6 year old that has never seen the car is put in the back seat, the 12V battery is disconnected, and the kid is told to get out of the car. If it takes longer than 10 seconds, the vehicle fails. I suppose 2 seaters could put the kid in the passenger seat.
Great test. Just gotta wait for Musk to explain why a 6 year old could just ask Grok for help.
YOOOOOOO, FARTFORD MENTIONED. THERE ARE GOATS???
It’s a Tesla…or an Altima. Hard no to both on principle.
Also, too many controls on a touchscreen, or too many connected or subscription features. Miss me with that nonsense. A car should work fine without a login, and tweaking basic functions shouldn’t require taking your eyes off the road for too long.
Too much tech in a vehicle is a deal killer for me. It dates the vehicle and can ruin so many things. I don’t need the car to beep at me because the guy who painted the road lines was drunk and or high or tell me that someone is stopped at a green light or is moving. Blind spot monitoring fine. Everyone loves a rear view camera or front cameras as many cameras as you can get. The Android Auto / carplay really is the best idea that has come to car tech possibly ever. The whole dock a phone or tablet seems great too. I want a standard so if it goes haywire I can upgrade it. So I tend to buy lower spec vehicles then add what I want though the aftermarket. I was looking at some crazy used Tesla deals but bought a delivery mile used 2nd gen leaf because of the deal but also because of the level of tech wasn’t everything though a mcu and touch screen that you know will break or become so laggy it doesn’t function and be at least $1k to fix if you are lucky. I also stay away from sunroofs they tend to be problematic and I don’t really see the point.
If you want flush door handles, just copy AMC’s ones from the 1970s . . . https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/111706-AMC-Door-handles
Late 60’s early 70’s Grand Prix door handles are flush too. They use the normal gm mechanical system with a mechanical connection from the flush handle to the mechanism.
That basic design survived on Jeeps into the current century, British Leyland also had something similar that was used on Land Rovers long after being dropped on cars
And somehow BL made the door handles leak oil.
Bonus points, they’re metal so them breaking after 20 years of baking in the sun is unlikely.
Dave Kindig sells this style of handle and its mechanical!
As far as technical/functional/design deal killers, electronic door handles and limited rearward visibility are my two big ones. Obviously, I hate door handles that require electricity to work, but I also hate how many vehicles are designed with massive blind spots or a rear window so tiny as to be effectively useless.
As for Foxconn buying a car company, I’ll be curious to see where this goes. Foxconn is not the spry, ambitious company it once was. The days of it quietly gobbling up market share of established players is over, so I am curious if it will actually try to build and sell any vehicles or give up midway through and sell components/technology to others. My guess is the latter.
Several years ago, there was a Camaro available at a price that felt reasonable. I sat in the driver’s seat, saw how poor the visibility was, and declined to even test drive. You are very right about visibility.
Yeah, the Camaro visibility is terrible. The Challenger isn’t quite as bad, but it has huge blind spots. And the last Chevy Impala was one I always dreaded getting as a rental because the back window is useless and the C-pillar is so thick you can’t see anything to the right of you unless it is directly next to you.
Honestly, what is this solving?
“Check out these really cool door handles! They are electronic, which rely on having energy in your battery and having no shorts in the system! If it fails, no worries! There is a mechanism that works no matter what. But, look (like dangling something shiny in front of a baby): cool door handles!”
Selling to the idiot masses something that is not needed. It’s the American Way!
Even better: “Hey, check this out! You can operate your car doors from your phone, which also needs to be properly charged and not dropped into a pool ever and not ever need to be replaced! Isn’t that cool!?!?!
Gadgets for the sake of gadgets. Standard tech excess.
I hate all of this.
I live in Minnesota so my deal-killer is lack of heated steering wheel.
It’s possible to make that if you use the correct self regulating heat cable, or control the feed carefully.
Ontario, the same. GM is dead to me.