Mirror Maker Gentex breaks ground on new facility in Germany

Zeeland, Michigan, May 28, 2003 -- Gentex Corporation , the Zeeland, Michigan, USA-based manufacturer of automatic-dimming rear-view mirrors and commercial fire protection products, announced that the Company broke ground on a new automotive products facility near Neckarsulm, Germany, today. The new building will provide Gentex with state-of-the-art facilities for expanding engineering, product development and logistics support for its growing business in Europe. The new facility replaces an existing smaller leased building, and will also provide sales support and serve as a warehouse and light manufacturing facility for Gentex customers in that region. It also will have the potential for additional manufacturing capabilities in the future.

"Gentex Corporation is committed to providing world class products, service and support to its customers around the world," said Gentex Executive Vice President Garth Deur. "We've been working in Europe for over ten years, and have established a very solid customer base there. We're committed to that market and, with the increasing acceptance of advanced electronic features in Gentex auto-dimming mirrors, we have reached the point where there is a need for us to provide advanced product development support to our customers in that region."

The new facility, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2003, will be approximately 3,800 square meters (about 40,000 square feet).

"In addition, the Company has purchased sufficient land to expand as required to meet the needs of its customers in the foreseeable future," said Deur. The Company estimates that the land and building will cost approximately US$4-5 million.

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 rear-view 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. The Company reported revenues of US$395.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2002.

Gentex is the leading supplier of auto-dimming rear-view mirrors to the worldwide motor vehicle industry, with an approximate 78 per cent share the market for those products. The Company was the first in the world to successfully develop and produce a commercial electrochromic, auto-dimming mirror for the motor vehicle industry. Of the over 8.8 million interior and exterior auto-dimming mirror units Gentex shipped to customers in calendar 2002, approximately 29 per cent went to customers in Europe. Gentex has shipped over 50 million auto-dimming mirror units since 1987. Gentex OEM customers include Audi, Bentley, BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Kia Motors, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Porsche, Rover, Rolls Royce, 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, France and Korea; and four regional US sales offices for the Fire Protection Products Group. The Company is recognised 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.