Gentex Announces New Programs With Ford

ZEELAND, MI -- (MARKET WIRE) -- Oct 07, 2010 -- Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: GNTX), the automotive industry's leading supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and camera-based active-safety systems, announced today that it is shipping auto-dimming mirrors for the 2011 Ford Explorer and Escape. The all-new Explorer mid-size SUV is sold in North America and over 90 countries around the world. In North America, it offers a Gentex interior auto-dimming mirror as standard equipment on the Limited trim level and part of an optional package on the XLT trim level. The Escape, a compact SUV sold primarily in North America, offers the Gentex Rear Camera Display (RCD) mirror as well as compass and microphone. The RCD Mirror is available as an option on the Limited and Hybrid Limited trim levels.

The RCD Mirror contains a liquid crystal display (LCD) that works with a video camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle to provide a view directly behind the vehicle while backing up. When the vehicle is shifted into "reverse," a display appears automatically through the auto-dimming mirror's reflective surface. The display disappears when the vehicle is shifted into any other gear, a capability that is made possible utilizing Gentex's "transflective" coating and lighting techniques, which result in a bright, high-resolution color image. The compass feature utilizes Gentex's proprietary Z-Nav® technology, a highly-accurate sensor that determines the vehicle's directional heading.

"Both the 2011 Explorer and Escape programs are new business for Gentex and we are pleased to be on these very popular Ford vehicles," said Enoch Jen, Gentex Senior Vice President. "Auto-dimming technology and rear camera displays continue to gain in popularity and we're excited to be working with Ford in offering these features on the Escape and Explorer."

Founded in 1974, Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: GNTX) is the leading supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and camera-based active safety systems to the global automotive industry. The Company also provides smoke alarms and signaling devices to the North American fire protection market, as well as dimmable aircraft windows for the commercial, business and general aviation markets. Based in Zeeland, Michigan, the international Company develops, manufactures and markets interior and exterior automatic-dimming automotive rearview mirrors that utilize proprietary electrochromic technology to dim in proportion to the amount of headlight glare from trailing vehicle headlamps. More than half of the Company's interior mirrors are sold with advanced electronic features, and more than 97 percent of the Company's revenues are derived from the sale of auto-dimming mirrors to nearly every major automaker in the world.

CONTACT: 
Connie Hamblin
616/772/1800
EXCHANGE: NASDAQ Global Select Market
SYMBOL: GNTX
WEBSITE: 
www.gentex.com