Gentex Ships Automatic-Dimming Mirror with Compass Display

    ZEELAND, Mich., May 9 Gentex Corporation, the Zeeland,
Michigan-based manufacturer of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and
commercial fire protection products, is shipping interior automatic-dimming
mirrors with a compass display for the 2001 Toyota Land Cruiser.  At the same
time, several Lexus vehicles have upgraded from a base automatic-dimming
mirror to one with a built-in compass display.

    The Gentex mirror comes standard on the Land Cruiser, and is either
standard or in option packages for the Lexus LX 470, RX 300, GS 430 and GS
300.  The mirrors feature a built-in electronic compass display that utilizes
Johnson Controls' PathPoint(R) Digital Compass System.

    Gentex's Night Vision Safety(TM) (NVS(R)) Mirrors are an active crash-
avoidance safety feature.  They automatically darken to reduce glare from the
headlamps of vehicles approaching from the rear.  The brighter the glare, the
darker the mirrors become, making nighttime driving safer.

    "The Land Cruiser is a consummate SUV, and we're excited to have our
compass mirror added as standard equipment," said Ken La Grand, Gentex's
executive vice president.  "We're also delighted to continue serving Lexus
with advanced-feature products like our compass mirror.  Over 40 percent of
the interior mirrors we sell now come with advanced electronic features such
as compass and temperature displays, telematics or LED map lamps."