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New Volkswagen Golf to Feature Donnelly Glarefree Electrochromic Mirror

9 September 1997

New Volkswagen Golf to Feature Donnelly Glarefree Electrochromic Mirror

    FRANKFURT, Sept. 9 -- In an important development for the
European auto industry, the new Volkswagen Golf, which made its debut today at
the Frankfurt International Automobile Show, will be the first European
compact car to offer an electrochromic mirror that protects drivers from
rear-view headlight glare.
    Produced by Donnelly Corporation , which is based in Holland,
Michigan, the Glarefree(TM) electrochromic mirrors dim automatically to reduce
unwanted headlight glare during night-time driving.  A number of studies have
shown that the reduction in glare achieved by electrochromic mirrors reduces
driver fatigue and improves driver reaction time during night time driving.
    While electrochromic mirrors have been offered on European luxury vehicles
for some time, the Volkswagen Golf is the first compact car to offer the
technology to drivers in Europe.
    "This is a very positive safety enhancement for the European auto
industry," said Dwane Baumgardner, Donnelly chairman and chief executive
officer.  "Donnelly has been working to reduce the cost of electrochromic
mirrors and make this safety feature available to a broader range of
consumers."
    In addition to its automatic-dimming feature, the Glarefree mirror that
Donnelly produces for the Volkswagen Golf is also designed to accommodate a
rain sensor, which automatically activates the vehicle's windshield wipers
during inclement weather.  The electronics for the electrochromics and the
rain sensor are all contained in the mirror assembly.
    Donnelly Corporation is an international automotive supplier, dedicated to
serving customers around the globe with high-quality fabricated, molded and
coated glass products.  Donnelly is the world leader in automotive mirror
systems, and holds over 30 patents that cover electrochromic technologies.
The company is based in Holland, Michigan, and today employs nearly 5,000
people in 28 locations in the U.S., Mexico, Europe and Asia.  Donnelly is also
recognized as a leader in the application of participative management, and was
named as one of the "Top Ten" in the book, "The 100 Best Companies To Work For
In America."

SOURCE  Donnelly Corporation