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Gentex Named 1998's Best-Performing Auto-Parts Stock

31 March 1999

Gentex Named 1998's Best-Performing Auto-Parts Stock

    ZEELAND, Mich., March 30 -- Gentex Corporation
, the Zeeland, Michigan-based manufacturer of automatic-dimming
rearview mirrors and commercial fire protection products, has received the
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Award for the Best Automotive Component Company
Stock Performance in 1998.  The award was presented last night in New York at
a dinner and ceremony sponsored by J.D. Power and Associates, Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter, and the New York International Auto Show.
    "It's an honor to receive this award," said Gentex Chairman and CEO Fred
Bauer, who accepted the award on the Company's behalf.  "I look at this award
as an outgrowth of our corporate culture.  We work hard to maintain an
infrastructure that rewards hard work, is passionate about technology, fosters
continued innovation and makes good ideas a reality.  By continually
reinventing ourselves and our products, we hope to continue growing our sales
and revenues while delivering the exceptional stock performance our
shareholders have come to expect."
    Gentex was 1998's best performing auto-parts stock.  The Company's stock
price increased 49 percent last year, well above the 27 percent increase for
the S&P500.  Aiding Gentex's stock performance was its technology-driven
growth, solid margin expansion and the company's commanding lead in the market
it serves.
    Gentex Corporation 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.  Revenues from the sale of automatic-dimming mirrors represent
about 91 percent of total Company revenues.
    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 customers include Audi, Bentley, BMW, Daewoo,
DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Gulf States Toyota, Hyundai,
Infiniti, Kia Motors, Lexus, Nissan, Opel, Porsche, Rolls Royce, Samsung,
Southeast Toyota Distributors and Toyota.
    Founded in 1974, Gentex operates out of three facilities in Zeeland,
Michigan; an automotive sales office in Livonia, Michigan; automotive sales
and engineering subsidiaries in Germany and Japan; 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.