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Gentex Announces Ford Expedition Business

21 September 1999

Gentex Announces Ford Expedition Business; Expanded Lincoln Navigator Business

    ZEELAND, Mich., Sept. 20 -- 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 Ford Expedition.  In
addition, the Company has announced that its mirrors have been made standard
equipment on the 2000 Lincoln Navigator.
    Gentex's Night Vision Safety(TM) (NVS(R)) 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.
    "This is great news for Gentex," said Ken La Grand, Gentex's executive
vice president.  "Our NVS(R) mirrors are in an incredibly popular option
package for the Ford Expedition, and have now become standard on the Lincoln
Navigator.  These are two of the most powerful and luxurious SUVs on the
market today, so we're excited about bringing their drivers added safety and
value."
    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.