Gentex Three-Mirror System Debuts in Korea

ZEELAND, Mich., May 5, 2004 -- Gentex Corporation , the leading supplier of automatic-dimming mirrors to the worldwide automotive industry, has begun shipping interior and exterior automatic-dimming mirrors for the new Chairman, SsangYong Motors' luxury sedan. The Chairman is sold primarily in Korea, with exports to the Middle East and parts of Europe.

Gentex auto-dimming mirrors 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.

The Chairman models include the CM600S and CM600L, which offer, as standard equipment, the Korean market's first three-mirror, automatic-dimming system. The CM400 and CM500 come standard with an interior auto-dimming mirror.

"This is the first three-mirror system sold to a Korean automaker," stated Gentex Executive Vice President Garth Deur. "We commend SsangYong for taking such a progressive stance when it comes to offering automatic-dimming mirrors, and we anticipate that other OEMs will enhance their auto-dimming mirror packaging in order to remain competitive in the Korean marketplace."

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 interior and exterior automatic-dimming automotive rearview mirrors that utilize proprietary electrochromic technology to dim in proportion to the amount of headlight glare from trailing vehicle headlamps. More than 95 percent of the Company's revenue is derived from the sale of those products to the world automotive industry.

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 recognized 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.