Gentex Ships One-Millionth Mirror to Korea

Begins Shipping Advanced-Feature Automatic-Dimming Mirrors for Two Hyundai Vehicles; ZEELAND, Mich., Aug. 1, Gentex Corporation, the world's leading supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors to the worldwide automotive industry, has begun shipping advanced-feature, interior, automatic-dimming mirrors for the 2003 Hyundai Sonata sedan and Santa Fe SUV.

Shipments for this program, which began late last month, also helped Gentex reach a company milestone -- the shipment of its one-millionth mirror to Korea. It is also the first time Gentex has shipped an advanced-feature mirror to Korea as well as the first time the Company has shipped directly to Hyundai as a Tier 1 supplier.

In North America, the LX editions of the Sonata and Santa Fe will come standard with an automatic-dimming mirror containing a fully integrated Johnson Controls' HomeLink® wireless control system. Three buttons on the face of the mirror can be programmed to operate garage doors, estate gates or home security systems.

The World Cup edition of the Sonata, which is sold in Korea, will come standard with a base automatic-dimming mirror.

Gentex Night Vision Safety(TM) (NVS®) mirrors 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.

"Hyundai is aggressive and progressive when it comes to providing customers with value and technology," said Ken La Grand, Gentex executive vice president. "They understand the benefits of using the rearview mirror as an electronic module, and how it can be used to introduce new features to the vehicle cost effectively."

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®) 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, Renault Samsung, Rover, Rolls Royce, SsangYong Motors, Toyota and Volkswagen. Gentex accessory 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.