Gentex Ships Automatic-Dimming Mirrors for Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable

    ZEELAND, Mich., Aug. 2 Gentex Corporation ,
the Zeeland, Michigan-based manufacturer of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors
and commercial fire protection products, is shipping its interior automatic-
dimming mirror with compass display to Ford Motor Company for the 2002 Ford
Taurus and Mercury Sable.
    Gentex's compass mirror is available on the Taurus SES and SEL models via
a popular option package, and is standard equipment on the Sable GS Plus and
LS Premium.  It comes equipped with Johnson Controls' PathPoint(R) Compass
System, which displays the vehicle's directional heading in the mirror.
    "The summer of 2001 is turning out to be a watershed period in Gentex
history," said Ken La Grand, Gentex's executive vice president.  "It
represents the point at which our mirrors broke into the mid-sized, mid-priced
vehicle segment, affirming the growing popularity of our automatic-dimming
mirrors while exposing a whole new group of consumers to the safety and
convenience benefits they provide.  The Taurus and Sable are two hugely
popular vehicles, and we couldn't be more thrilled that they're now offering
our mirrors."
    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.  The Taurus and
Sable represent significant milestones in this endeavor.
    Gentex's Night Vision Safety(TM) (NVS(R)) Mirrors are active crash-
avoidance safety features.  They automatically darken to reduce glare from the
headlamps of vehicles approaching from the rear.  The brighter the glare, the
darker the mirrors become, protecting driver vision and 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, Samsung Motors,
SsangYong Motors, Toyota and Volkswagen.  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.