Gentex Adds Exterior Automatic-Dimming Mirrors for the Nissan Maxima

ZEELAND, Mich., Oct. 6, 2004 -- Gentex Corporation , the world's leading supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors to the worldwide automotive industry, has begun shipping driver- and passenger-side exterior auto-dimming mirrors for the 2005 Nissan Maxima.

Gentex has been shipping interior auto-dimming mirrors for the Maxima since late 2002, so with the addition of exterior auto-dimming mirrors, the Maxima is now available with a three-mirror auto-dimming system, which virtually eliminates all rearview mirror glare.

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 three-mirror auto-dimming system is available on the Maxima's SE & SL trim levels as part of a Driver Preferred Package.

"Research shows that nearly 70 percent of drivers categorize exterior mirror glare as 'blinding,'" stated Garth Deur, Gentex executive vice president. "Furthermore, 51 percent admit to turning their non-dimming exterior mirrors downward or outward to prevent glare from reaching their eyes. It's no wonder that three-mirror auto-dimming systems are growing in popularity.

"Nissan is a growing customer, and the Maxima is their flagship sedan, so naturally we're excited that so many consumers will experience the safety benefits afforded by exterior auto-dimming mirrors," Deur said.

Founded in 1974, 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. Based in Zeeland, Michigan, 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. Many of the mirrors are sold with advanced electronic features, and more than 95 percent of the Company's revenues are derived from the sales of auto-dimming mirrors to nearly every major automaker in the world.