The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Gentex Reports Record Revenues and Net Income for the Second Quarter

ZEELAND, Mich., July 16 -- Gentex Corporation , the Zeeland, Michigan-based manufacturer of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and commercial fire protection products, today reported record revenues and net income for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2003.

For the second quarter of 2003, the Company reported a 22 percent increase in net income to $26.1 million, or 34 cents per share, on record revenues of $116.9 million. In the comparable 2002 quarter, the Company reported net income of $21.3 million, or 28 cents per share, on revenues of $97.3 million.

For the first six months of 2003, net income increased 29 percent to $52.0 million, or 68 cents per share, on record revenues of $232.2 million. For the comparable 2002 period, Gentex reported net income of $40.3 million, or 53 cents per share, on revenues of $186.4 million.

"We had an excellent second quarter, with growth in both unit volume and feature content," said Garth Deur, Gentex executive vice president. "The percentage increase in our exterior mirror product line continues to outpace the growth rates in interior mirrors, as our customers recognize the significant role of exterior mirrors in eliminating glare during nighttime driving."

Deur said that, despite the uncertainties in the economy, he is cautiously optimistic about the last six months of calendar 2003 and that the Company currently is on track for growth in mirror unit shipments this year of approximately 15 percent.

Total Night Vision Safety(TM) (NVS(R)) Mirror shipments in the second quarter of 2003 were 2.5 million units, an approximate 11 percent increase over the approximately 2.3 million units reported in the same 2002 quarter. Total automotive revenues in the second quarter of 2003 increased by 21 percent compared with the same prior year period.

For the first six months of 2003, total unit shipments reached a record 5.1 million, an approximate 17 percent increase over the first six months of 2002. Total automotive revenues in the first six months of 2003 increased by approximately 26 percent compared to the same prior year period.

Revenues in the Company's Fire Protection Products Group increased by four percent in the second quarter to $6.0 million, and increased two percent for the first six months of 2003 to $11.2 million, compared with the same periods last year.

Certain matters discussed in this news release, including unit growth rate projections and estimates, are forward-looking statements which involve certain risks and uncertainties, and are subject to change based on various market, industry and other important factors. The Company cautions investors that numerous factors (some of which are outlined in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other interim reports) and future events may affect the Company's actual results, and may cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in this news release. Furthermore, Gentex undertakes no obligation to update, amend, or clarify forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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 Acura, 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.

                        NVS MIRROR UNIT SHIPMENTS
                               (Thousands)

                        Second Quarter              Six Months Ended
                         Ended June 30,                 June 30,

                            2003   2002   % Change     2003   2002 % Change

  Domestic Interior          968    925        5%     1,923   1,783     8%
  Domestic Exterior          434    382       14%       859     731    18%
  Total Domestic Units     1,403  1,307        7%     2,782   2,514    11%

  Foreign Interior           802    713       12%     1,604   1,338    20%
  Foreign Exterior           329    257       28%       683     482    42%
  Total Foreign Units      1,131    970       17%     2,287   1,820    26%

  Total Interior Mirrors   1,770  1,638        8%     3,527   3,121    13%
  Total Exterior Mirrors     764    639       20%     1,542   1,213    27%
  Total Mirror Units       2,534  2,278       11%     5,069   4,334    17%

Note: Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. Amounts may not total due to rounding.

                     GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                                                   (unaudited)
                                               Three Months Ended
                                                    June 30,
                                             2003                2002

  Net Sales                               $116,917,332       $97,346,344

  Costs and Expenses
    Cost of Goods Sold                      68,635,744        58,280,926
    Engineering, Research & Development      6,310,886         5,623,863
    Selling, General & Administrative        6,090,320         5,243,953
    Other Expense (Income)                  (2,771,957)       (3,376,165)

  Total Costs and Expenses                  78,264,993        65,772,577

  Income Before Provision
    for Income Taxes                        38,652,339        31,573,767

  Provision for Income Taxes                12,562,000        10,263,000

  Net Income                               $26,090,339       $21,310,767

  Earnings Per Share
    Basic                                        $0.34             $0.28
    Diluted                                      $0.34             $0.28
  Weighted Average Shares:
    Basic                                   75,992,364        75,685,015
    Diluted                                 76,878,488        76,619,056

                                                     (unaudited)
                                                  Six Months Ended
                                                      June 30,
                                               2003                2002

  Net Sales                                $232,225,896        $186,394,812

  Costs and Expenses
    Cost of Goods Sold                      135,828,313         112,138,732
    Engineering, Research & Development      12,518,622          11,209,603
    Selling, General & Administrative        11,616,996          10,284,298
    Other Expense (Income)                   (4,772,912)         (6,891,314)

  Total Costs and Expenses                  155,191,019         126,741,319

  Income Before Provision
    for Income Taxes                         77,034,877          59,653,493

  Provision for Income Taxes                 25,036,000          19,389,500

  Net Income                                $51,998,877         $40,263,993

  Earnings Per Share
    Basic                                         $0.68               $0.53
    Diluted                                       $0.68               $0.53
  Weighted Average Shares:
    Basic                                    75,974,343          75,494,641
    Diluted                                  76,813,994          76,482,761

               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                                (unaudited)
                                                 June 30,         Dec 31,
                                                   2003            2002
  ASSETS
  Cash and Short-Term Investments              $275,012,396    $215,650,801
  Other Current Assets                           72,162,597      61,147,608

  Total Current Assets                          347,174,993     276,798,409

  Plant and Equipment - Net                     125,362,669     124,982,665
  Long-Term Investments and Other
   Assets                                       209,596,137     207,391,593

  Total Assets                                 $682,133,799    $609,172,667

  LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
   INVESTMENT
  Current Liabilities                           $33,985,530     $29,060,035
  Long-Term Debt                                          0               0
  Deferred Income Taxes                          11,946,091       6,472,270
  Shareholders' Investment                      636,202,178     573,640,362

  Total Liabilities & Shareholders'
   Investment                                  $682,133,799    $609,172,667

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/gh/cnoc/comp/354175.html