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Gentex Corporation Announces Land Rover Discovery Business

26 August 1999

Gentex Corporation Announces Land Rover Discovery Business

    ZEELAND, Mich., Aug. 26 -- 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 new 2000 Land Rover Discovery.
    The automatic-dimming mirror Gentex is supplying for the Discovery also
contains Johnson Controls' PathPoint Compass System(TM), which displays the
vehicle's directional heading in the mirror.
    "We're excited to win this business," said Ken La Grand, Gentex's
executive vice president.  "Our strategic relationship with Johnson Controls
gives us access to the industry's best compass system, and when you place that
inside the industry's best auto-dimming mirror, you have a winning
combination.  This is what helped us secure this business.
    "Our goal is to provide the highest quality automatic-dimming mirrors so
that Land Rover and other manufacturers can provide their customers with added
safety, value and convenience."
    Gentex pioneered the automatic-dimming rearview mirror industry.  Last
year, the Company shipped nearly five million of its Night Vision Safety(TM)
(NVS(R)) mirrors to automakers around the world.
    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, Land Rover, 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.