Gentex Develops New Active Light Sensor

    ZEELAND, Mich., July 19 Gentex Corporation ,
the Zeeland, Michigan-based manufacturer of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors
and commercial fire protection products, has developed a cost-effective, high-
performance, intelligent light sensor to control the dimming of its rearview
mirrors.  This proprietary technology is already in production for a new
Gentex mirror, and may also be used in future mirror-related Gentex products.

    "This technology represents the next generation of light sensing," said
Ken La Grand, Gentex's executive vice president.  "It improves performance
while reducing complexity -- two critical factors in our ability to continue
developing new advanced-feature mirrors."

    Gentex's Active Light Sensor (ALS) technology consists of a tiny CMOS
(complementary metal oxide semiconductor) chip that contains a light-sensing
element and the additional electronic circuitry necessary to communicate light
levels to a microprocessor.  Because the device is similar to a computer chip,
it's inexpensive, durable, and easy to manufacture.  And, because it's a
digital device, it doesn't require external circuitry, such as a signal
amplifier or analog to digital converter, allowing Gentex to reduce the
complexity of its circuit boards.

    The Company has applied for a number of U.S. and foreign patents on the
ALS technology and related inventions.

    During nighttime driving, a Gentex mirror uses sensors to detect ambient
light levels while continually monitoring glare coming from the vehicle
headlamps behind you.  These sensors communicate to the mirror's
microprocessor, or computer, which in turn dims the mirror according to the
amount of glare detected.  The brighter the glare, the darker the mirrors
become, protecting the driver's vision and improving driving safety.

    Gentex is already using its ALS technology on a new mirror program, which
the Company hopes to announce shortly.  The ALS technology will be used on
certain future mirror programs, but there are no plans to retrofit existing
mirror designs with the new sensor.

    "We didn't develop ALS because of deficiencies with our current sensors.
They work great.  However, the ALS can be inserted automatically and, because
they are solid-state devices, they are very durable.  The new ALS technology
also will improve the performance of our mirrors, a never-ending goal for
Gentex.  ALS technology represents the type of product innovation necessary to
keep us at the forefront of our industry," stated La Grand.

    The development of ALS technology is further validation of Gentex's
ongoing research and development efforts with strategic partner Photobit
Corporation, a leading supplier of CMOS image sensors.  Gentex made an equity
investment in Photobit in 1997, and the two companies have been collaborating
on automotive applications for advanced sensors and camera-on-a-chip products
for several years.  Under Gentex's direction, Photobit conducted much of the
development work necessary to make ALS a reality.

    Photobit also helped develop Gentex's recently announced SmartBeam(TM)
technology, which uses a miniature camera-on-a-chip to automatically control a
vehicle's high beams, turning them on and off according to surrounding traffic
conditions in order to maximize vehicle lighting and make nighttime driving
safer.  SmartBeam uses a Photobit image-sensing device, of which the new ALS
technology is a derivative.

    La Grand believes that Gentex's ALS and SmartBeam technologies provide a
glimpse into the car of the future, and that these innovations may open the
door to new Gentex products.  "We know that automotive sensors and vision
systems will play a big role in future vehicles, automating driver tasks and
enhancing safety.  Our goal at Gentex is to deliver elements of the car of the
future today," he said.