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Gentex Begins Shipping for Two Ford Vehicles

9 October 2000

Gentex Begins Shipping for Two Ford Vehicles; Debuts New 9" Mirror on First-Ever Ford of Europe Program

    ZEELAND, Mich., Oct. 9 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 Lincoln LS and the Ford Mondeo.  The latter
is the first vehicle to feature Gentex's new 9" mirror designed specifically
for smaller cars, and represents the first time the Company has worked with
Ford of Europe.
    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.
    The Gentex automatic-dimming mirrors for the Lincoln LS are standard on
models with V8 engines, and in a popular convenience package for models with
V6 engines.  The mirrors also come with a built-in electronic compass display
that utilizes Johnson Control's PathPoint(R) Digital Compass System, the
industry's best-selling and most accurate compass technology.
    Gentex is exporting its new 9" automatic-dimming mirror for the Ford
Mondeo, a new sedan marketed by Ford of Europe.  The mirror, which is
available on the GHIA models, is approximately 1.5" shorter than a standard
rearview mirror and is designed to accommodate smaller vehicles or those where
cockpit styling dictates a downsized mirror.  The Mondeo is the first Ford of
Europe vehicle to feature a Gentex mirror.
    "In the last several months, we've launched three new mirror programs with
Ford, and more are on the way," said Ken La Grand, Gentex's executive vice
president.  "We're optimistic about what the future holds at Ford, and it's
great to see an expansion of our business with them both domestically and
abroad.
    "We're especially excited about working with Ford of Europe.  The Mondeo
is the perfect vehicle to debut our new 9" mirror, which we designed to help
us move the automatic-dimming mirror feature down-market into mid-sized and
smaller cars."
    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.
    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 OEM customers include Audi, Bentley, BMW, Daewoo,
DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Infiniti, Kia Motors,
Lexus, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Porsche, Rover, Rolls Royce and Toyota.
Gentex aftermarket/distributor customers include Gulf States Toyota
Distributors, Mito Corporation, Southeast Toyota Distributors, Subaru
Distributors NE and Toyota Motor Sales USA.
    Founded in 1974, Gentex operates out of four facilities in Zeeland,
Michigan; an automotive sales office in Livonia, Michigan; automotive sales
and engineering subsidiaries in Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and France;
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.