Microvision Installs Nomad Expert Technician Systems in Stearns Automotive Group's Four Auto Dealerships

BOTHELL, Wash.--Aug. 1, 20049, 2004--Microvision Inc., a leader in light scanning technology, announced today the sale and installation of 9 Nomad Expert Technician Systems to the Stearns Automotive Group in North Carolina. The family owned business owns two Ford dealerships, as well as a Chevrolet, and a Chrysler Jeep dealer in the central area of the state.

Stearns Automotive has 75 service bays and 35-40 service technicians. Nomad Systems have been installed in all four of the dealerships. Stearns Automotive Group founder and owner, Carroll Stearns, said, "We are focused on attracting and retaining high quality service technicians and they are hard to find and it is a competitive market. We want to get the most up-to-date tools and technology in the hands of our technicians to provide our customers with the best service possible while allowing technicians to be more productive. We believe the Nomad System will enable us to do this." The four dealerships are well known in the state where Dale Stearns is the immediate past president of the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association with a membership of more than 800 dealerships.

"Stearns Automotive is one of the most respected dealer groups in North Carolina," said Gary Mitchell, Area Sales Director for the Southeast. "We're delighted to support their goals of continuous improvement in service bay productivity and service quality with the Nomad Expert Technician system. We've had a very successful trial followed by this install, and it's a terrific opportunity for us to showcase the Nomad in use with the electronic service systems of GM, Chrysler and Ford. We look forward to making a difference here and to growing our relationship with The Stearns Automotive group."

The Nomad Expert Technician System is a wireless computer with a head-worn, see-through display. The System enables automobile dealerships to increase service revenue and profitability as well as improve service quality and customer satisfaction by giving technicians instant, hands-free access to service manuals, work orders and other information. About 50% of a typical dealer's gross profits come from service operations and high customer repair satisfaction is directly correlated with customer retention.

According to the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association the service portion of the automotive aftermarket is estimated at $132 billion in 2003, with roughly $59 billion of that coming from labor. Sales of tools used in aftermarket service and maintenance were estimated at $7.9 billion for the year.

There were 25,200 separate new car dealer franchises listed in the 1997 U.S. Economic Census. Worldwide there are an estimated 73,000 new car dealerships, 3,200 heavy truck dealers, 448,000 Repair Shops, and 48,000 tire dealers. In total these enterprises employ more than 1.37 million technicians, with 875,000 technicians employed in the U.S. by new car dealers and aftermarket repair shops.

About Microvision: www.microvision.com

Headquartered in Bothell, Wash., Microvision Inc. is the world leader in the development of high-resolution displays and imaging systems based on the company's proprietary silicon micro-mirror technology. The company's technology has applications in a broad range of military, medical, industrial, professional and consumer products.