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Toyota Rolls Out Gentex Automatic-Dimming Mirrors

1 March 2000

Toyota Rolls Out Gentex Automatic-Dimming Mirrors

    ZEELAND, Mich., March 1 -- Gentex Corporation ,
the world's leading supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors to the
automotive industry, announced today that the Toyota Camry, Camry Solara SE
(dealer-install option only), Avalon XL, Sienna, Tundra and Land Cruiser will
offer Gentex automatic-dimming mirrors as port- and dealer-installed
accessories through Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.'s ("TMS") genuine
accessories program.
    The program allows North American Toyota dealers to specify one of two
types of Gentex mirrors.  Depending on the vehicle, dealers can order either
an automatic-dimming mirror with a compass display, or one with a compass and
external temperature display.
    Gentex automatic-dimming mirrors are active, crash-avoidance safety
features that use a combination of sophisticated sensors and electronic
circuitry to detect glare from trailing vehicles and automatically darken to
eliminate the glare and make nighttime driving safer.
    "This new program allows Toyota dealers to offer customers a popular
safety feature while at the same time recognizing the inherent profit
potential in our mirrors," said Ken La Grand, Gentex's executive vice
president.  "Because we're already an approved supplier to Toyota, we were
able to fast-track this project for a 2000 debut, and we look forward to
working with Toyota on future applications."
    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, Mitsubishi, 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, Japan and the United Kingdom; 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.
    Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. is the marketing, sales, distribution and
customer service arm of Toyota in America.  Toyota is America's fourth-largest
carmaker and assembles more than one million cars and trucks per year in North
America.  Established in 1957, TMS provides support for more than 1,400
Toyota, Lexus and Toyota Industrial Equipment dealerships in 49 states.  With
approximately 8,500 employees, TMS and its subsidiaries also are involved in
financial and insurance services, distribution logistics, motorsports R&D and
the aviation and boating industries.  The company's main Web site is
http://www.toyota.com .