CHARLOTTE, Mich., Sept. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/
-- Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAR) ("Spartan" or
the "Company"), a global leader in specialty chassis and vehicle
design, manufacturing and assembly, today announced that its
Spartan Fleet Vehicles and Services (FVS) business unit — which
encompasses the Utilimaster go-to-market brand—received an award
from the United States Postal Service (USPS) to build fully
functional prototypes for the Next Generation Delivery Vehicle
(NGDV) Program. The NGDV Program is a part of the Postal Service's
test and evaluation process undertaken as part of its plans to
replace its aging delivery fleet.
Utilimaster was one of six vehicle manufacturers selected to
receive the prototype award as part of a comprehensive USPS Request
for Proposal (RFP) process. Utilimaster has previously supplied the
USPS with mail route delivery vehicles and is recognized as a
leader in fleet vehicle design and production.
"We are pleased to be among a select group of vehicle makers to
win the USPS prototype award, further validating our focus on and
investments in engineering, forward-looking technology and
world-class manufacturing," said Daryl
Adams, President and Chief Executive Officer of Spartan
Motors. "We are approaching this opportunity with the goal of
providing the USPS with both improved performance, operating
efficiency, and improved cost effectiveness. We expect our NGDV
protoypes will incorporate new technologies to better accommodate a
diverse mail and package mix, enhance safety, improve service and
reduce emissions. With our proprietary R&D process and
manufacturing know-how, our vehicles and upfits will be customized
to align with the USPS' universal service mandate to deliver the
mail almost every day to every address."
The USPS awarded $3.6 million to
Spartan for the working prototypes, which are to be delivered no
later than Sept. 16, 2017, one year
from the prototype award. The USPS has indicated they will test
prototypes for a six-month period. Production requirements and
future vehicle replacement award(s) will be determined by the
Postal Service after NGDV Prototype testing.
About Spartan
Motors
Spartan Motors, Inc. is a leading designer, engineer, manufacturer
and marketer of a broad range of specialty vehicles, specialty
chassis, vehicle bodies and parts for the fleet and delivery,
recreational vehicle (RV), emergency response, defense forces and
contract assembly (light/medium duty truck: Class 3, 4 and 5)
markets. The Company's brand names - Spartan Motors, Spartan
Specialty Vehicles, Spartan Emergency Response, Spartan Parts and
Accessories, and Utilimaster®, a Spartan Motors Company - are known
for quality, durability, performance, customer service and
first-to-market innovation. The Company employs approximately 1,800
associates at facilities in Michigan, Pennsylvania, South
Dakota and Indiana. Spartan
reported sales of $550 million in
2015. Visit Spartan Motors at www.spartanmotors.com.
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SOURCE Spartan Motors, Inc.