11 June 1998: US-based Gentex Corp., the auto industry“s largest supplier of automatic-dimming mirrors, said it will begin selling its products directly to consumers for the first time.
The rear-vie…
11 June 1998: US-based Gentex Corp., the auto industry“s largest supplier of automatic-dimming mirrors, said it will begin selling its products directly to consumers for the first time. The rear-view mirrors automatically darken when hit by light from headlamps, reducing glare and making it easier to drive at night. The base mirror will cost US$ 99. One with compass and temperature displays will sell for US$ 249. Gentex is selling the products through MITO Corp., a distribution company in Elkhart, Indiana. MITO will ship the mirrors with a wiring harness for installation by the buyer. Gentex spokesman Craig Piersma said the mirrors replace the vehicle“s existing mirror and are relatively simple to install. The company now primarily sells the mirrors to automakers, which offer them as both standard and optional equipment. Some mirrors are also sold through dealers. Gentex declined to say how many of the mirrors it has initially sold to MITO, but Piersma said aftermarket sales will be a small part of total mirror shipments for the foreseeable future. Gentex last year shipped four million mirrors, its main product. The company wants to get the mirrors on 50% of the 51 million vehicles made each year. So far its penetration rate is 5-6%.