Gentex Reaches Milestone: Begins Shipping for Toyota Camry

    ZEELAND, Mich., July 10 Gentex Corporation ,
the Zeeland, Michigan-based manufacturer of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors
and commercial fire protection products, has begun shipping interior
automatic-dimming rearview mirrors with a compass display for the Toyota
Camry.  The Company is also shipping a similar mirror for the Lexus ES 300.
    The Camry represents a huge milestone for Gentex.  Like many new and
unique car features, Gentex's automatic-dimming mirrors quickly achieved
widespread acceptance in the luxury car market upon their introduction.  For
several years now, Gentex has been working hard to bring the mirrors into the
mid-sized, medium-priced vehicle segment, and the Camry represents a Company
highlight in this endeavor.
    "Getting our mirrors on the Camry has been a long-time goal," said Ken La
Grand, Gentex's executive vice president.  "The Camry is one of the world's
best-selling vehicles and a true industry benchmark.  Our hope is that other
cars in its class will migrate toward the use of automatic-dimming mirrors in
order to compete."
    According to R.L. Polk passenger-car registration data, the Camry has been
America's favorite car four years running.
    Gentex's compass mirror will be standard on the premium versions of the
Camry sold in North America.
    Gentex's compass mirror is also standard on the North American versions of
the ES 300.  The Company is shipping base automatic-dimming mirrors for the
versions sold in Japan.
    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.
    Gentex Corporation is an international company that provides high-quality
products to the worldwide automotive industry and North American fire
protection market.  The Company develops, manufactures and markets proprietary
electro-optic products, including interior and exterior electrochromic,
automatic-dimming Night Vision Safety(TM) (NVS(R)) automotive rearview mirrors
that dim in proportion to the amount of headlight glare from trailing vehicle
headlamps, and an extensive line of fire protection products for commercial
applications.
    Gentex was the first company in the world to successfully develop and
produce a commercial electrochromic mirror for the motor vehicle industry.
The Company is the leading supplier of these mirrors to the worldwide
automotive industry.  Gentex OEM customers include Audi, Bentley, BMW, Daewoo,
DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Infiniti, Kia Motors,
Lexus, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Porsche, Rover, Rolls Royce and Toyota.
Gentex aftermarket/distributor customers include Gulf States Toyota
Distributors, Mito Corporation, Southeast Toyota Distributors, Subaru
Distributors NE and Toyota Motor Sales USA.
    Founded in 1974, Gentex operates out of four facilities in Zeeland,
Michigan; an automotive sales office in Livonia, Michigan; automotive sales
and engineering subsidiaries in Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and France;
and four regional U.S. sales offices for the Fire Protection Products Group.
The Company is recognized for its quality products, its application of world
class manufacturing principles, for its commitment to developing and
maintaining a highly skilled workforce, and for encouraging employee ownership
of the Company's stock.