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Rearview Mirrors Enter The Information Age

1 July 1999

Rearview Mirrors Enter The Information Age Gentex Mirror Doubles as Information Display on the New Prowler GENTEX REARVIEW MIRRORS VEHICLE COMMUNICATIONS Rearview Mirrors Enter the Information Age. New Gentex Mirror Doubles as Vehicle Communications Center. (PRNewsFoto)[KC] ZEELAND, MI USA 06/30/1999    

    ZEELAND, Mich., June 30 -- Gentex Corporation ,
the Zeeland, Michigan-based manufacturer of automatic-dimming mirrors and fire
protection products, has begun shipping interior automatic-dimming rearview
mirrors for the 2000 Plymouth Prowler.  The mirror is integrated into the
vehicle's onboard computer system, which allows it to display various bits of
information vital to the driver.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990630/DEW001 )
    In addition to automatically dimming upon detecting glare, the Prowler's
NVS(R) mirror can display the outside temperature, vehicle directional
heading, average fuel economy, distance to empty, instantaneous fuel economy,
trip odometer, and elapsed trip time.
    The mirror also contains LED (light emitting diode) map lamps, which serve
as the Prowler's interior cabin lighting.
    "In essence, our mirror acts as the 'monitor' for the Prowler's computer
system," said Ken La Grand, Gentex's executive vice president.  "It picks up
data pulsing through the car's electrical system and displays it in the
rearview mirror."
    Typically, these displays are found in overhead consoles or instrument
panels, but these weren't options since the Prowler is a uniquely styled
convertible.  The rearview mirror presented the ideal solution.
    "As it turns out, the mirror is a natural location for information
displays and driver communication interfaces," added La Grand.  "Since the
driver is continuously looking at the mirror anyway, he or she can obtain
information while keeping a natural line-of-sight on the road ahead."
    Today's vehicle electrical systems are similar to computer local area
networks (LANs).  Various electronic modules continuously send and receive
bits of information over this network and react accordingly.  For instance,
when a door on the new Prowler is opened, the door module signals the rearview
mirror to turn on its LED cabin lighting.  As engine speed increases, and
subsequently engine noise, the engine module signals the radio to
automatically increase its volume.
    La Grand believes the sky is the limit when it comes to using the mirror
as a communications center.
    "With our mirror on the vehicle's bus (electrical system), we can display
just about any piece of driver information without additional wiring," he
said.  And, by simply adding a few sensors, we can control headlamps, display
GPS (global positioning system) information or monitor individual tire
pressure.  It's exciting to see the mirror become such a critical driver
communications interface."
    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(TM) (NVS(R)) 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.  Revenues from the sale of automatic-dimming mirrors represent
about 91 percent of total Company.
    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, Daewoo,
DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Gulf States Toyota, Hyundai,
Infiniti, Kia Motors, Lexus, Nissan, Opel, Porsche, Rolls Royce, Samsung,
Southeast Toyota Distributors and Toyota.
    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 four 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.