CHARLOTTE, Mich., Oct. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Spartan Fleet
Vehicles and Services ("Spartan"), a business unit of Spartan
Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAR) which encompasses the Utilimaster®
brand, announced today it has accepted and will fulfill a 20-unit
order from AmeriPride Services, one of the largest textile rental
services and supply companies in North
America, for an innovative walk-in van solution which
integrates the Utilimaster body design with Motiv Power Systems'
electric vehicle (EV) propulsion solution. The order is scheduled
for delivery in early 2018.
For nearly a decade, Utilimaster has innovated for clients,
spanning the alternative fuel and electric vehicle landscape.
The Ameripride order further confirms Utilimaster's expertise in
the alternative fuel fleet vehicle space.
Spartan began working with Ameripride and Motiv in mid-2017 on
this particular electric powertrain walk-in van concept.
Yielding proof that Spartan's iterative Work Driven Design
process pays dividends for customers, the vehicle and subsequent
20-unit fleet order will have a range of 85 miles on a full charge
and up to 20 percent gradeability.
"The AmeriPride EV van characterizes the strategic approach we
take in the design of our upfit packages – listen to the customers'
needs and expectations and design a unique package to exceed them,"
said Daryl Adams, President and CEO,
Spartan Motors. "Strategic alliances with Motiv and others
demonstrate our ability to innovate and advance the markets we
serve and allow us to best serve customers like Ameriprise.
Couple these strategic partnerships with our 35-year history as a
leading fleet provider, and it's no secret why Utilimaster and
Spartan are in the optimal position to serve the growing
alternative fuel market for large fleet customers."
Spartan's Utilimaster team has engaged with AmeriPride for 20+
years, allowing the team to engineer a body suitable for the EV
chassis platform based on insights gained from previous builds. The
design was developed using Utilimaster's proprietary fleet analysis
process, the Utilimaster Difference, that emphasizes on-site fleet
review and ride-along insights that inform solution-based
designs—with zero fleet downtime.
"Our focus on reducing the carbon footprint of our delivery
trucks demonstrates our commitment to the environment and the
communities where we operate," said Banny
Allison, Fleet Services Manager, AmeriPride Services, Inc.
"We're proud of that commitment and know that Spartan and Motiv
will help us to continue our journey as a leader in environmental
sustainability and our efforts to implement green technologies,
while providing world-class transport capability to our
customers."
Motiv's All-Electric Powertrain includes the company's electric
Powertrain Control System, batteries, motors, and other components
to allow for universal charging compatibility and secure remote
telematics and diagnostics.
For more information on Spartan's Utilimaster brand, visit:
www.spartanmotors.com/fleet-vehicles.
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) markets. The Company's brand names — Spartan Motors, Spartan
Specialty Vehicles, Spartan Emergency Response, Spartan Parts and
Accessories; Smeal® and its family of brands, including Ladder
Tower™ and UST®; and Utilimaster®, a Spartan Motors Company — are
known for quality, durability, performance, customer service and
first-to-market innovation. The Company employs approximately 2,200
associates and operates facilities in Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska, South
Dakota; Saltillo, Mexico;
and Lima, Peru. Spartan reported
sales of $591 million in 2016. Visit
Spartan Motors at www.spartanmotors.com.
View original
content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/spartan-motors-to-build-new-all-electric-walk-in-van-fleet-for-leading-linen-and-uniform-services-company-300542043.html
SOURCE Spartan Motors, Inc.