Gentex Corporation Receives Supplier Award From Toyota

AUTO CENTRAL – April 3, 2009: Gentex Corporation, the leading supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors to the worldwide automotive industry, was recently recognised by Toyota as one of only five companies to win an "Excellent Award" in the "Technology" category for its SmartBeam product that launched on the Toyota Venza. Gentex received the award at Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.'s (TEMA) Annual Supplier Business Meeting (ABM). Technology Excellent Awards were presented to suppliers who exceeded Toyota's expectations in this important category.

The awards were recently presented at Toyota's 13th ABM at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center, bringing together approximately 500 of Toyota's North American suppliers. In the U.S., there are approximately 63,000 supplier jobs in 38 states that are dedicated to Toyota, and Toyota collectively spent nearly $30 billion on parts, goods and services last year in North America. The ABM is an opportunity for Toyota and its suppliers to communicate objectives for the current year, enhance relationships and recognise top suppliers who exceeded the company's expectations in the following areas: Quality, Value Improvement, Supplier Diversity, Technology and Launch Performance.

"Toyota values the contribution of our 500 North American suppliers," said Tetsuo Agata, president of TEMA. "We are grateful for their continued support during these difficult economic times. Our future success here is directly linked to the success of our suppliers."

Gentex was recognised for its SmartBeam technology (Toyota refers to SmartBeam as "Automatic High Beam"). SmartBeam uses a miniature camera-on-a-chip combined with algorithmic decision making to automatically turn a vehicle's high beams on and off according to surrounding traffic conditions. The system is designed to maximize a vehicle's forward lighting to improve driving safety and to eliminate the repetitive and sometimes burdensome task of turning the high beams on and off.

"Toyota currently utilises SmartBeam on two vehicles in its line-up and we believe this award signifies their awareness of the added value that our technology offers to consumers," stated Enoch Jen, Gentex senior vice president. "We anticipate that SmartBeam will be added to future Toyota vehicles."