Gentex Mirror with Rear Camera Display Receives Praise from Japanese Automotive Journalists

ZEELAND, MI – December 23, 2009: Gentex has announced today that its interior auto-dimming rearview mirror with Rear Camera Display (RCD) for the Daihatsu Mira Cocoa has been recognised by the Automotive Researchers' & Journalists' Conference of Japan (RJC) as one of the top-six new technologies in the 2010 RJC Technology of the Year awards program. Gentex is the leading supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and camera-based active-safety systems to the worldwide automotive industry.

In addition to automatically detecting and eliminating dangerous headlamp glare from rearward approaching vehicles, the Gentex RCD mirror makes backing up safer and easier. When the vehicle is shifted into ‘reverse’, a liquid crystal display (LCD) appears through the mirror's reflective surface and provides a view of the area directly behind the vehicle. The display disappears when the vehicle is shifted into any other gear.

The Gentex RCD Mirror was introduced to the Japan market earlier this year on the Daihatsu Mira Cocoa, a popular micro-minicar designed and appointed to attract younger female car buyers.

According to the Automotive RJC, the Gentex auto-dimming RCD mirror was singled out because it simplifies reversing and parallel parking, especially for younger drivers who may lack confidence driving backwards. The product's smart design and reasonable price were also highly valued.

"The Mira Cocoa was our first program with Daihatsu, so the fact that Japan's Automotive RJC recognises our RCD mirror's contributions to driver safety, comfort and convenience is particularly gratifying," said Gentex senior vice president Enoch Jen.

The Automotive RJC was established in 1991 by prominent professors and journalists to objectively study key automotive issues and recognise important new products and technologies in order to promote the development of sound motorisation.