Gentex Opens Sales and Engineering Office in South Korea

ZEELAND, Mich., April 3 -- Gentex Corporation, the world's leading supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors to the worldwide automotive industry, has opened an automotive sales and engineering office in Seoul, Korea, in order to better support the Company's growing business with Korean vehicle manufacturers.

Gentex is best known for its Night Vision Safety(TM) (NVS(R)) mirrors, which 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 Technologies Korea Co. Ltd. formally opened last week, and operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Gentex Corporation. Managing director Yong-Ho (Y.H.) Lee, who joined Gentex approximately 14 months ago, runs the division. Most recently, Lee was director and general manager of Schefenacker Poong Jeong Ltd., the Korean subsidiary of Schefenacker International, and a leading, worldwide automotive supplier. He also held high-level positions in the automotive industry at several other Korean companies, including Samboo Corporation, Hyosang Engineering and Daewoo Motor Co., Ltd. Lee received his bachelor's degree from Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea, and his master's degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

"Gentex auto-dimming mirror unit shipments to Korea increased by over 50 percent in 2002 compared with 2001," said Garth Deur, Gentex executive vice president. "Korean automotive brands are making an impact on the worldwide market, with ever-increasing quality and progressive vehicle content. We're excited about supporting the market with expanded resources."

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, DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Infiniti, Isuzu, 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, France and Korea; 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.

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