Ford F-Series Pickups First to Offer Gentex Mirror-Based Backup Camera Display as Original Equipment


ZEELAND, MI--(Marketwire - June 4, 2007) - Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: GNTX), the leading supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors to the worldwide automotive industry, has announced that its rear camera display mirror will be available for the first time as original equipment on 2008 Ford F-Series full-size pickups.

The Gentex auto-dimming interior mirror contains an LCD display that works with a video camera mounted in the tailgate-handle bezel to provide a view directly behind the vehicle while backing up. This innovative convenience feature will be available as an option on 2008 F-Series trucks, which have been America's best selling full-size pickups for 30 years.

When the vehicle is shifted into "reverse," a 2.4-inch diagonal LCD display appears automatically through the auto-dimming mirror's reflective surface. The display disappears when the vehicle is shifted into any other gear. The unique capability for the display to appear through the mirror's surface is made possible by Gentex's proprietary "transflective" coatings and lighting techniques, which result in a bright, high-resolution color image.

The rear camera display mirrors supplied for the Ford F-Series also darken automatically to eliminate glare from the headlamps of vehicles approaching from the rear for improved nighttime driving. In addition, the mirrors come integrated with Gentex's proprietary Z-Nav compass transducer, a highly accurate compass sensor that determines the vehicle's directional heading.

"Rear cameras are becoming an increasingly popular feature, and we're excited to be working with Ford in offering this unique display solution to F-150 buyers," said Gentex Senior Vice President Enoch Jen. "The mirror is an ideal and intuitive location to display rear camera video because it allows the driver to view the display and the reflected scene simultaneously. The rear camera display is a great tool for backing up to boat, RV and utility trailers."

Founded in 1974, Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: GNTX) is an international company that provides high-quality products to the worldwide automotive industry and North American fire protection market. Based in Zeeland, Michigan, the 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. Many of the mirrors are sold with advanced electronic features, and more than 96 percent of the Company's revenues are derived from the sale of auto-dimming mirrors to nearly every major automaker in the world.

Contact Information: FINANCIAL MEDIA AND INVESTOR CONTACT: Connie Hamblin 616/772-1800 GENERAL MEDIA CONTACT: Craig Piersma 616/772-1800 EXCHANGE: NASDAQ Global Select Market SYMBOL: GNTX WEBSITE: www.gentex.com