ZEELAND, MI--(Marketwire - November 15, 2010) - Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: GNTX), the Zeeland, Michigan-based manufacturer of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and camera-based active-safety systems for the automotive industry, commercial fire protection products and dimmable aircraft windows, announced today that it is shipping its Rear Camera Display (RCD) mirror for 10 additional Hyundai/Kia vehicle models. The RCD mirror is offered in European, Asian and other overseas markets on the Hyundai Tucson/ ix35, Santa Fe, ix20, and Accent, as well as the Kia Sportage, Carens, Grand Carnival, Venga, K7, and K5. In the U.S., the Grand Carnival is badged as the Kia Sedona. With the addition of these 10 new programs, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors now offer 15 models with the Gentex RCD Mirror feature.
The RCD Mirror contains a liquid crystal display (LCD) that works with a video camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle to provide a view directly behind the vehicle while backing up. When the vehicle is shifted into "reverse," a display appears automatically through the auto-dimming mirror's reflective surface. The display disappears when the vehicle is shifted into any other gear, a capability that is made possible utilizing Gentex's "transflective" coating and lighting techniques, which result in a bright, high-resolution color image.
"Hyundai/Kia continues to increase the availability of the Gentex RCD Mirror by offering the feature in multiple markets, including North America, Europe and Asia, and in multiple vehicle segments," said Enoch Jen, Gentex Senior Vice President. "The RCD Mirror offers many benefits -- its quick-to-market, easy to install, lower overall cost, and is an intuitive display location. We are pleased that Hyundai/Kia recognizes the advantages of utilizing the mirror as a display."
In 2009, the Company shipped approximately 573,000 RCD Mirror units compared with approximately 270,000 units in 2008, and currently expects that RCD Mirror units will double in calendar year 2010 compared with 2009.
Founded in 1974, Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: GNTX) is the leading supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and camera-based active safety systems to the global automotive industry. The Company also provides smoke alarms and signaling devices to the North American fire protection market, as well as dimmable aircraft windows for the commercial, business and general aviation markets. Based in Zeeland, Michigan, the international Company develops, manufactures and markets interior and exterior automatic-dimming automotive rearview mirrors that utilize proprietary electrochromic technology to dim in proportion to the amount of headlight glare from trailing vehicle headlamps. More than half of the Company's interior mirrors are sold with advanced electronic features, and more than 97 percent of the Company's revenues are derived from the sale of auto-dimming mirrors to nearly every major automaker in the world.
Contact Information:
CONTACT:
Connie Hamblin
616/772/1800
WEBSITE: www.gentex.com