Gentex Automatic-Dimming Mirrors Now Available
28 May 1998
Gentex Automatic-Dimming Mirrors Now Available to Automotive Aftermarket ZEELAND, Mich., May 28 -- Gentex Corporation ,
the Zeeland, Michigan-based manufacturer of automatic-dimming mirrors and fire
protection products, today announced that it has contracted with the
MITO Corporation of Elkhart, Indiana, to sell several of its most popular
automatic-dimming mirrors directly to consumers. Until now, this popular
safety feature was generally available only on new vehicles from the
automotive manufacturers.
Gentex pioneered Night Vision Safety(TM)(NVS(R)) Mirrors, which
automatically darken to reduce glare from the headlamps of vehicles
approaching from the rear. The brighter the glare, the darker the mirrors
become, making nighttime driving safer.
"This is the first time our mirrors will be widely available to the
automotive aftermarket," said Gentex Executive Vice President Kenneth La
Grand. "Because our manufacturing and distribution methods are geared toward
serving worldwide automotive manufacturers, we haven't been able to
accommodate the individual consumer who simply wants to retrofit a vehicle.
Now with one call to MITO, they'll be able to purchase an NVS mirror and have
it shipped directly to their home."
Gentex NVS automatic-dimming mirrors are based on the science of
electrochromics, which is the process of reversibly darkening materials by
applying electricity. During nighttime driving, the mirrors use a combination
of sophisticated sensors and electronic circuitry to detect glare from
rearward approaching vehicles and darken accordingly to eliminate the glare
and preserve driver vision.
Premium versions of the Gentex mirror come with advanced electronic
features such as compass and external temperature readouts, as well as
twilight sensors that turn the vehicle's headlights on and off at dusk and
dawn.
The base NVS mirror will sell for $99; one with compass and temperature
displays will sell for $249. The mirrors ship ready for installation,
complete with a wiring harness.
MITO Corporation is a 23-year-old distributor of quality electronic
products and accessories. The company warehouses all the products it offers
and ships orders within 24 hours of receipt. Orders are taken by phone
(800-433-6486), fax (219-522-5480) or over the Internet
(http://www.mitocorp.com). Most orders are generated by advertisements the
company places in automotive enthusiast magazines.
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.
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 office in Livonia, Michigan; automotive sales
and engineering subsidiaries in Germany and Japan; 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.
