---

All-New 1998 Lexus GS300/400 Feature Gentex Interior Auto-Dimming Mirror

16 October 1997

All-New 1998 Lexus GS300/400 Feature Gentex Interior Auto-Dimming Mirror

    ZEELAND, Mich., Oct. 16 -_ Gentex Corporation ,
the Zeeland, Michigan-based manufacturer of automatic-dimming mirrors and fire
protection products, today announced that it has recently begun shipping
interior automatic-dimming mirrors for the new 1998 Lexus GS300 and GS400
luxury performance sedans.  Lexus is the luxury car division of Toyota Motor
Corporation.
    Gentex's Night Vision Safety(TM)(NVS(R)) Mirror is standard equipment on
the Lexus GS300 and GS400, and the cars joins the Lexus LS400, SC300 and SC400
in offering this interior auto-dimming mirror.  The NVS Mirror automatically
darkens to reduce glare from the headlamps of vehicles approaching from the
rear.  The brighter the glare, the darker the mirror becomes.  Gentex ships
interior NVS(R) Mirror sub-assemblies to tier one mirror supplier Tokai Rika,
for final assembly in the mirror case and subsequent sale to Lexus.
    "Lexus continues to expand its offering of Gentex NVS(R) Mirrors to larger
segments of its customer base," said Gentex Executive Vice President Kenneth
La Grand.  "We continue to work with Toyota and Lexus on other car programs as
consumer interest in the Gentex mirror grows."
    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 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.
The Company's Automotive Products Group is ISO 9001 registered and is in
compliance with QS-9000, quality designations that soon will be required to
supply production or service parts to automakers.
    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, Chrysler,
Daewoo, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Gulf States Toyota, Honda, Hyundai,
Infiniti, Kia Motors, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Porsche,
Rolls Royce and Southeast Toyota Distributors.
    Founded in 1974, Gentex operates out of three facilities in Zeeland,
Michigan; an automotive sales and marketing office in Livonia, Michigan; an
automotive sales and engineering subsidiary in Germany; and five 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.

SOURCE  Gentex Corporation