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Gentex Corporation Wins Lincoln Continental Business

24 August 1999

Gentex Corporation Wins Lincoln Continental Business

    ZEELAND, Mich., Aug. 24 -- Gentex Corporation ,
the Zeeland, Michigan-based manufacturer of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors
and commercial fire protection products, has begun shipping interior
automatic-dimming mirrors for the 2000 Lincoln Continental.
    Gentex automatic-dimming mirrors are standard on the Continental, and come
equipped with Johnson Controls' PathPoint Compass System(TM), which displays
the vehicle's directional heading in the mirror.  For Continentals with moon
roofs, Gentex also packages its patented LED (light-emitting diode) map lamp
technology in the mirror.
    "The Continental is one of the best-known vehicles in the Lincoln lineup,
so we're extremely proud to have secured this program," said Gentex Executive
Vice President Ken La Grand.  "Our quality and ability to package value-added
electronic features are showcased in this mirror."
    Gentex's LED map-lamp technology uses LEDs instead of incandescent lamps
to provide vehicle cabin lighting.  LEDs are very durable, even in harsh
conditions, lasting up to 15 years, or five-times longer than standard
incandescent lamps.  They also draw significantly less current, have a lower
operating temperature, and make it easier to control lighting color and
patterns.
    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.
    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.