Gentex Honoured by General Motors as a 2003 Supplier of the Year

ZEELAND, Michigan, April 5 -- For the seventh consecutive year, and the eighth 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 (GM) Supplier of the Year. The award was presented to Gentex Chairman and CEO Fred Bauer this past weekend at a ceremony in Prague, in the Czech Republic.

Gentex supplies GM with interior and exterior auto-dimming 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.

"Gentex strives to produce technologically advanced products, and our employees take pride in their commitment to quality," said Garth Deur, Gentex executive vice president. "It's an honor to have our efforts recognised by GM."

"Gentex is representative of the type of company we want to grow with as we drive to be the best worldwide," said Bo Andersson, vice president, GM Worldwide Purchasing, Production Control and Logistics. "The Company has a balanced focus on performance and behavior that supports GM's priorities. Gentex is a role model for all of our 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 77 suppliers for their excellence throughout 2003.

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 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 automatic-dimming rearview mirror. After more than 15 years of supplying these products in the highly competitive global automotive industry, the Company remains the leading supplier of these mirrors. Gentex OEM customers include Acura, Audi, Bentley, BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Isuzu, Kia Motors, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, PSA, Renault Samsung, MG Rover, Rolls Royce, SsangYong Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo Car Corporation.

Founded in 1974, Gentex has its manufacturing facilities in Zeeland, Michigan, and automotive sales and engineering offices in Detroit, Michigan; Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, France and Korea. The Company is recognised for its quality products; for its proprietary manufacturing skills and equipment and 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.