Gentex to Supply Interior Auto-Dimming Mirror for the New 1998 Dodge Durango
1 October 1997
Gentex to Supply Interior Auto-Dimming Mirror for the New 1998 Dodge Durango
ZEELAND, Mich., Oct. 1 -- Gentex Corporation ,
the Zeeland, Michigan-based manufacturer of automatic-dimming mirrors and fire
protection products, today announced that it is shipping interior automatic-
dimming mirrors for the new 1998 Dodge Durango. The Durango is Dodge's first
entry into the compact sport/utility vehicle segment.
The interior Night Vision Safety(TM)(NVS(R)) Mirror will be standard
equipment on the Durango SLT and SLT Plus, and is an option on the SL. The
Durango joins other members of the Dodge family of products that feature the
NVS Mirror, including the Ram Pickup, Caravan, Intrepid, and Dakota Pickup.
The NVS Mirror automatically darkens to reduce glare from the headlamps of
vehicles approaching from the rear. The brighter the glare, the darker the
mirror becomes.
"We are excited to be a part of Dodge's new venture in the compact
sport/utility vehicle segment, and we expect that the Durango will be a very
popular vehicle, since it's a 'large' compact vehicle and is the first to
offer optional eight-passenger seating," said Gentex Executive Vice President
Kenneth La Grand. "NVS Mirrors have become a very popular option on light
trucks and sport/utility vehicles, and we anticipate that about 60 percent of
the new Durangos will be equipped with one."
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 and for its commitment to developing and maintaining
a highly skilled workforce.
SOURCE Gentex Corporation