Gentex SmartBeam(R) High-Beam Headlamp Assist Offered on New European SUV
ZEELAND, MI--(Marketwire - September 30, 2009) - Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: GNTX), the leading
supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors to the worldwide automotive
industry, has announced that it is supplying auto-dimming mirrors with
advanced electronic features, including the Company's proprietary
SmartBeam®
High-Beam Headlamp Assist system, for the 2010 BMW X1, a compact sport
utility vehicle.
The X1 will be available in European markets beginning late this fall. In
addition to offering an auto-dimming three-mirror system, other features,
including digital compass displayed in the mirror, universal garage door
opener and Gentex's SmartBeam® High-Beam Headlamp Assist system, will all
be available as free float options. BMW refers to SmartBeam as High-Beam
Assist, or the German translation, Fernlichtassistent. The compass feature
utilizes Gentex's proprietary Z-Nav® technology, a highly-accurate sensor
that determines the vehicle's directional heading.
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 and to eliminate this repetitive and
sometimes burdensome task.
"The X1 is the latest in a long list of BMW vehicles to offer the SmartBeam
feature," said Gentex Senior Vice President Enoch Jen. "BMW is a longtime
Gentex customer and continues to see the value of our products, as is
evidenced by their increased availability on the majority of BMW models in
countries around the world where BMWs are sold."
Gentex has been shipping its SmartBeam feature to various automakers since
2004, and more than a million of these camera systems are in operation on
vehicles throughout Europe and North America. In calendar year 2008, the
Company shipped approximately 295,000 SmartBeam units to its automotive
customers, making Gentex the leading provider of automotive-grade
camera-based active safety systems.
Founded in 1974, Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: GNTX) is an international
company that provides high-quality products to the worldwide automotive
industry and North American fire protection market. Based in Zeeland,
Michigan, the 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
interior mirrors are sold with advanced electronic features, and more than
96 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: GENERAL AND FINANCIAL MEDIA AND INVESTOR CONTACT:
Connie Hamblin
616/772/1800
GENERAL MEDIA CONTACT:
Craig Piersma
616/772/1800
EXCHANGE: NASDAQ Global Select Market
SYMBOL: GNTX
WEBSITE: www.gentex.com