Gentex Honored by General Motors as a 2002 Supplier of the Year

ZEELAND, Mich., April 14 -- For the sixth consecutive year, and the seventh time overall, Gentex Corporation , the world's leading supplier of automatic- dimming rearview mirrors to the worldwide automotive industry, has been named a General Motors Supplier of the Year. The award was presented this past weekend at a ceremony at the Miracle Theatre in Miami.

Gentex was honored as a GM Supplier of the Year for the first time in 1993, and has since received the award six consecutive years going back to 1997.

Gentex supplies GM with Night Vision Safety(TM) (NVS(R)) interior and exterior rearview 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.

"There's more glare on the road today than ever before, so employing glare-reduction technology is important," said Garth Deur, Gentex executive vice president. "It's an honor to be recognized by GM not only for our technology, but also for the price, service and quality manner in which we supply it."

"Gentex is representative of the companies GM expects to grow with us as we seek to increase market share," said Bo Andersson, vice president, GM Worldwide Purchasing Production Control and Logistics. "The Company's performance and contributions have been critical in helping GM to become the industry's low-cost producer of high-quality vehicles. Gentex serves as a role model for other suppliers."

The GM Supplier of the Year award began as a global program in 1992. Award winners are selected by a global team of executives from purchasing, engineering, manufacturing and logistics who base their decisions on supplier performance in quality, service, technology and price. This year, General Motors honored 71 suppliers for their excellence throughout 2002.

Gentex Corporation (The Nasdaq Stock Market: GNTX) 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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