Gentex Auto-Dimming Mirror to be Featured on New Lexus Sport-Utility Vehicle
13 November 1997
Gentex Auto-Dimming Mirror to be Featured on New Lexus Sport-Utility Vehicle
ZEELAND, Mich., Nov. 13 -- Gentex Corporation ,
the Zeeland, Michigan-based manufacturer of automatic-dimming mirrors and fire
protection products, today announced that its interior automatic-dimming
mirrors will be available on the soon-to-debut Lexus RX300 sport-utility
vehicle (SUV). Lexus is the luxury car division of Toyota Motor Corporation.
Gentex pioneered the Night Vision Safety(TM)(NVS(R)) Mirror, which
automatically darkens to reduce glare from the headlamps of vehicles
approaching from the rear. The brighter the glare, the darker the mirror
becomes.
Gentex ships interior NVS Mirror sub-assemblies to tier one mirror
supplier Tokai Rika in Japan, for final assembly in the mirror case and
subsequent sale to Lexus. Gentex mirrors, which will be standard on the
RX300, are now available on six Lexus vehicles, including the GS300, GS400,
LS400, SC300 and the SC400.
"When you take the growing popularity of SUVs combined with Lexus' ability
to blend safety, luxury and performance, you have the perfect platform for our
mirrors," said Gentex Executive Vice President Kenneth La Grand. "We're
excited about helping Toyota and Lexus provide added-value to their customers.
"Gentex Corporation is an international company that provides high-quality
products to the worldwide automotive industry and North American fire
protection market. The Company develops, manufactures and markets proprietary
electro-optic products, including interior and exterior electrochromic,
automatic-dimming Night Vision Safety (NVS) automotive rearview mirrors that
dim in proportion to the amount of headlight glare from trailing vehicle
headlamps, and an extensive line of fire protection products for commercial
applications. The Company's Automotive Products Group is ISO 9001 registered
and is in compliance with QS-9000, quality designations that soon will be
required to supply production or service parts to automakers.
Gentex was the first company in the world to successfully develop and
produce a commercial electrochromic mirror for the motor vehicle industry.
The Company is the leading supplier of these mirrors to the worldwide
automotive industry. Gentex customers include Audi, Bentley, BMW, Chrysler,
Daewoo, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Gulf States Toyota, Honda, Hyundai,
Infiniti, Kia Motors, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Porsche,
Rolls Royce and Southeast Toyota Distributors.
Founded in 1974, Gentex operates out of three facilities in Zeeland,
Michigan; an automotive sales and marketing office in Livonia, Michigan; an
automotive sales and engineering subsidiary in Germany; and five regional U.S.
sales offices for the Fire Protection Products Group. The Company is
recognized for its quality products, its application of world class
manufacturing principles, for its commitment to developing and maintaining a
highly skilled workforce, and for encouraging employee ownership of the
Company's stock.
SOURCE Gentex Corporation
