Contact Information: FINANCIAL MEDIA AND INVESTOR CONTACT: Connie Hamblin 616/772-1800 GENERAL MEDIA CONTACT: Craig Piersma 616/772-1800 WEBSITE: www.gentex.com
Gentex's SmartBeam High-Beam Headlamp Assist to Be Offered on New Audi Models in 2008
| Source: Gentex
ZEELAND, MI--(Marketwire - May 27, 2008) - Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ : GNTX ), the leading
supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors to the worldwide automotive
industry, announced today that its SmartBeam® High-Beam Headlamp Assist
system [called "Fernlichtassistent" (FLA) by Audi], will be offered this
spring on the Audi A4, A5 and Q7. The FLA feature will be available on
Audi models in Europe as an option in conjunction with Bi-Xenon headlamps.
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 forward lighting and to eliminate the repetitive task of turning
the high beams on and off. SmartBeam is integrated into Gentex auto-dimming
mirrors, which automatically darken to reduce glare from the headlamps of
vehicles approaching from the rear.
"Research conducted with drivers in Europe and North America shows a very
positive response to SmartBeam and we are very pleased that Audi is
offering this active safety technology product on several of its
best-selling vehicles," said Enoch Jen, Gentex Senior Vice President.
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. Many of the 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.