Gentex Ships First Dimmable Aircraft Window Shades to PPG Aerospace for New Boeing 787 Dreamliner

ZEELAND, MI--(Marketwire - October 3, 2007) - Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: GNTX), the leading supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors to the worldwide automotive industry, has announced that the Company this summer shipped the first set of dimmable aircraft window shades to PPG Industries' (NYSE: PPG) aerospace products group, for use in the passenger cabin of the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner series of aircraft.

"We are very excited to have shipped this first set of window shades for this spectacular new Boeing aircraft," said Gentex Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Fred Bauer. "We, along with PPG Aerospace, have successfully met the many significant technical challenges that innovation will always present. These parts represent a significant milestone on the road to mass production.

"While there is still work to do, I commend the team of people at Gentex, PPG Aerospace and Boeing for their hard work in making this project move toward fruition."

The dimmable window shades employ Gentex's proprietary electrochromic technology, and each window shade in the passenger compartment will dim to five different levels utilizing a switch located next to the window seat passenger. The aircraft flight crew also will have the ability to control all of the windows in the passenger cabin at the touch of a switch. Gentex Corporation also is manufacturing the electronic switch for each system.

Gentex and PPG are jointly producing the variably dimmable electrochromic cabin window systems. PPG is under separate contract with Boeing to supply electronically dimmable systems for the windows of the 787's passenger compartment.

About PPG Aerospace

PPG Aerospace is the aerospace products and services business of PPG Industries, and the sole source to Boeing for cockpit windows on the Boeing 737, 767 and 777 airplanes. PPG Aerospace - Transparencies is the world's largest supplier of aircraft windshields, windows and canopies. PPG Aerospace - PRC-DeSoto is the leading global producer of aerospace sealants, coatings, and packaging and application systems.

About PPG Industries

Pittsburgh-based PPG Industries is a global supplier of paints, coatings, chemicals, optical products, specialty materials, glass and fiber glass. The company employs more than 34,000 people and has 125 manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates in more than 25 countries. Sales in 2006 were $11 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York and Philadelphia stock exchanges (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.

About Gentex Corporation

Founded in 1974, Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: GNTX) is an international company that provides high-quality electro-optic products to the worldwide automotive industry and North American fire protection market. Based in Zeeland, Mich., the company develops, manufactures and markets interior and exterior automatic-dimming 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 approximately 96 percent of the company's revenues are derived from the sales of auto-dimming mirrors to nearly every major automaker in the world.

About the Boeing 787 Dreamliner

The 787 is a family of super-efficient airplanes that will provide passengers with a better flying experience. As the world's first mostly composite commercial airplane, it will use 20 percent less fuel per passenger than similarly sized airplanes, produce fewer carbon emissions, and will have quieter takeoffs and landings. The airplanes will feature significant improvements in passenger amenities including cleaner air, larger windows, a lower cabin altitude and higher humidity. The first 787 is scheduled to enter passenger service in May 2008.

Contact Information: FINANCIAL MEDIA AND INVESTOR CONTACT: Connie Hamblin 616/772-1800 GENERAL MEDIA CONTACT: Craig Piersma 616/772-1800 WEBSITE: www.gentex.com