Cadillac CT6 to launch with HD video rear-view mirror
Cadillac’s CT6 luxury saloon will be the first production car to offer a high-definition video rear-view mirror as a factory option when it goes on sale next year.
Cadillac will equip its upcoming CT6 luxury saloon with a high-definition video rear-view mirror, making it the first production car to offer the technology as a factory-installed option. The CT6 is due to reach showrooms in the first half of 2016.
The new system, developed by Gentex in Michigan, replaces the conventional reflective rear-view mirror with a display that shows a live feed from a rear-mounted HD camera. Gentex claims the Full Display Mirror doubles the driver’s field of view to 40 degrees by eliminating obstructions such as rear headrests and roof pillars. The company says its software adjusts lighting contrast at the pixel level to maintain image clarity in varying conditions.
If the camera is blocked or fails, the mirror can revert to a standard optical mode. This fallback ensures the driver is not left without a rear view in the event of a malfunction or adverse weather. The technology aims to reduce blind spots and improve safety, particularly in situations where rear visibility is compromised by passengers or luggage.
Supplier and manufacturing details
Gentex, which supplies around 90% of the world’s auto-dimming rear-view mirrors, will manufacture the Full Display Mirror at its Zeeland, Michigan facility. The company reported $1.38 billion in sales and $288 million net income in the previous year, reflecting its dominant position in the market for automotive mirrors.
Gentex expects to begin shipping the mirrors to General Motors’ assembly plant for integration into CT6 production shortly. The company has spent a decade developing new mirror technologies, with the CT6 marking the first application of its HD video system in a production car.
Context in the market
While concept and prototype vehicles have demonstrated camera-based mirror systems before, no other manufacturer has offered a production car with a factory-installed HD video rear-view mirror. BMW, for example, has announced plans to use cameras in place of mirrors from 2019, but the CT6 will reach customers well ahead of that timeline. For more on BMW’s plans, see BMW targets camera-based mirror replacement from 2019.
