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Gentex and Johnson Controls Agree to Put HomeLink(R) in the Mirror

1 September 1999

Gentex and Johnson Controls Agree to Put HomeLink(R) in the Mirror

    ZEELAND, Mich., Sept. 1 -- It will soon be possible to open
your garage door, turn off your security system or illuminate your house  --
all by pressing a button on your vehicle's rearview mirror.
    Gentex Corporation , the world's leading supplier of
automatic-dimming rearview mirrors, and Johnson Controls, Inc., the world's
leading supplier of automotive seating and interior systems, have inked a
partnership and supply agreement that gives Gentex an exclusive license to
integrate Johnson Controls' HomeLink(R) into its automatic-dimming rearview
mirrors.
    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.  HomeLink(R) can then
activate these devices at the push of a button.
    "More than six million HomeLink(R) units are already on the road today,
either in the vehicle's sun visor or the overhead console," said Jim Geschke,
Johnson Controls' vice president of electronics.  "Now, thanks to this
agreement, automakers will also have the option of placing HomeLink(R) in an
automatic-dimming rearview mirror."
    "HomeLink(R) is a great product and one of the industry's strongest
brands, so we're excited about adding it to our mirrors," said Gentex
Executive Vice President Ken La Grand.  "We specialize in integrating advanced
electronic features and displays in rearview mirrors, so this is one more way
we can add value to our products while bringing added convenience to
consumers.  We're already working on our first HomeLink(R) mirror, which will
debut on a 2000 model year luxury sedan within the next several months."
    The Plymouth, Michigan-based automotive business of Johnson Controls --
which employs more than 57,000 people at 275 facilities worldwide -- achieved
US$9.3 billion in sales for the 1998 fiscal year.  In model-year 1999, it will
supply interior products for more than 22 million vehicles.
    Johnson Controls, Inc. is a global leader in automotive systems and
facility management and control.  In the automotive market, it is a major
supplier of seating and interior systems and batteries.  For non-residential
facilities, Johnson Controls provides building control systems and services,
energy management and integrated facility management.  Johnson Controls
, founded in 1885, has headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Its
sales for 1998 totaled US$12.6 billion.
    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 91 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, 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 and Japan; 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.