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BMW 3 Series Convertibles to Debut Gentex HomeLink(R) Mirror

23 March 2000

BMW 3 Series Convertibles to Debut Gentex HomeLink(R) Mirror

    ZEELAND, Mich., March 23 Gentex Corporation
, the Zeeland, Michigan-based manufacturer of automatic-dimming
rearview mirrors and commercial fire protection products, announced today that
it has begun shipping automatic-dimming rearview mirrors equipped with
HomeLink(R) for the new BMW 3 Series convertibles made for the U.S. market.
    This is the first time Gentex has sold one of its advanced-feature mirrors
directly to an automotive manufacturer located outside of North America.
    HomeLink(R) is a universal transceiver that can learn the codes for up to
three remote-controlled devices, including garage doors, estate gates, home
lighting, entry door locks and security systems.  These devices can then be
activated with the push of a button.
    Johnson Controls, Inc., the world's leading supplier of automotive seating
and interior systems, developed HomeLink(R), and recently signed an agreement
giving Gentex the exclusive license to integrate the product into its rearview
mirrors.
    "HomeLink(R) is opening all sorts of doors, pun intended," said Ken
La Grand, Gentex's executive vice president.  "Not only is BMW the first to
take advantage of our new partnership and supply agreement with Johnson
Controls, but it represents the growing number of European automotive
manufacturers showing heightened interest in our advanced-feature mirrors.
    "Our product is first and foremost a safety feature, but when you add
consumer 'delight' items like HomeLink(R), compass and temperature displays,
and global positioning systems, you have a product that delivers added value
to manufacturers and consumers alike."
    For BMW, the HomeLink(R) transceiver is activated by pushing one of three
small buttons located on the underside of the rearview mirror.  Gentex is
currently developing a new mirror that positions the HomeLink(R) buttons on
the mirror's chin and will be marketed to other automotive manufacturers
worldwide.
    Gentex Corporation (The Nasdaq Stock Market: GNTX) 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 92 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.