Spartan Motors Introduces New Entry-level Chassis at RVIA 2003
December 02 2003 - 12:11PM
PR Newswire (US)
Spartan Motors Introduces New Entry-level Chassis at RVIA 2003
Spartan Brings a Commercial Drive Train to Diesel Pusher Market
CHARLOTTE, Mich., Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- For more than 15
years, Spartan Motors Chassis has led the RV industry in developing
diesel motorhome chassis that feature uncommon performance and
innovation. Now, the Charlotte, Mich.-based subsidiary of Spartan
Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPAR) has utilized a Ford drive train to
introduce the lowest cost entry-level diesel chassis on the market,
further narrowing the price gap between gas and diesel alternatives
without sacrificing performance. Spartan Chassis today debuted the
new Competitor concept chassis, the first-ever diesel motorhome
chassis built on a commercial drive train, at the annual Recreation
Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) trade show in Louisville, Ky.,
which runs from Dec. 2-4 (Booth #1025). Spartan said the new
Competitor concept chassis utilizes the Ford 325hp 6.0L diesel
engine, the same engine used on the Ford F150 pickup. "Working with
a Ford drive train on this unique configuration has allowed us to
develop a very competitively priced diesel-pusher chassis that's
designed to be high quality, high performing and easy for OEMs to
build on," said Richard Schalter, president of Spartan Chassis.
"The Competitor is our response to an industry shift towards low-
to medium-end Class A motorhomes. As the motorhome OEMs have gotten
better and more efficient building motorhomes, there is a segment
of buyers who are focused more on coach amenities and less on pure
power. The Competitor fits the bill for these buyers." Spartan said
the introduction of the Competitor chassis, coupled with its new
high-line K3 chassis, the most feature-packed, premium diesel
chassis on the market, gives Spartan Chassis the broadest selection
of products in the diesel RV market. The Company expects to ship
its first prototypes of the Competitor concept chassis to OEMs in
the second quarter of 2004, with production scheduled to begin
later in the third quarter. The Competitor will feature exceptional
performance, ride, handling and safety features at the lowest price
point in the diesel market. The new chassis will also be easy to
build on, and offer a better horsepower/GVW (gross vehicle weight)
ratio. In addition to supporting the Ford diesel engine, providing
a Valeo cooling system and a straight frame-rail construction, the
Competitor also includes: * A Ford TorqShift(TM) 5-speed
transmission, a newly designed 5-speed gearbox, and new control
system that provides smoother shifts between gears. The TorqShift
also features higher first- and second-gear ratios to launch a
vehicle loaded with cargo more quickly and smoothly. * Detroit
Steel's Stabil-Ride(TM), an integral stabilizer system featuring a
softer spring design for a better ride without sacrificing handling
performance. The Stabil-Ride is featured on both the front and rear
suspensions, providing 15,000 lbs. of GAWR (gross axle weight
rating). * The Competitor also features 25,750 lbs. of GVWR (gross
vehicle weight rating) * The rear-engine position on the Competitor
provides a quieter ride in the cab. "The Competitor will help pave
the way for more entry-level products in the diesel pusher market
by lowering the cost to OEMs -- and RV end-users -- and offering
them a viable, more comparable choice between gas and diesel
powered engines," said John Sztykiel, Spartan Motors chief
executive officer. "Innovations like the Competitor chassis
represent Spartan's continued focus on becoming the most-desired
brand and lowest total-cost producer in the markets we serve. Our
commitment to operating efficiency and lean manufacturing were also
critical elements that made it possible to bring this product to
market." About Spartan Motors, Inc. Spartan Motors, Inc.
(http://www.spartanmotors.com/ ) designs, engineers and
manufactures custom chassis and vehicles for the recreational
vehicle, fire truck, ambulance and emergency-rescue markets. The
company's brand names -- Spartan(R), Crimson Fire(R) and Road
Rescue(R) -- are known in their market niches for quality, value,
service and being the first to market with innovative products.
Spartan Motors employs approximately 700 at facilities in Michigan,
South Dakota, Alabama, Minnesota and South Carolina and is publicly
traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the ticker symbol SPAR. The
statements contained in this news release include certain
predictions and projections that may be considered "forward-looking
statements" by the securities laws. These forward-looking
statements are identifiable by words or phrases indicating that the
Company or management "expects" that a particular result may occur,
or that its "guidance" or "initial guidance" is that a particular
event may occur. These statements involve many risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially,
including but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental
and technological factors affecting the Company's operations,
markets, products, services and prices. Additional information
about these and other factors that may adversely affect these
forward-looking statements are contained in the Company's reports
and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements to reflect developments or information
obtained after the date of this news release. DATASOURCE: Spartan
Motors, Inc. CONTACT: Richard Schalter, President of Spartan Motors
Chassis, Spartan Motors, Inc., +1-517-543-6400; Jeff Lambert or
Eric Lubbers, , of Lambert, Edwards & Associates, Inc.,
+1-616-233-0500, for Spartan Motors, Inc. Web site:
http://www.spartanmotors.com/
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