CHARLOTTE, Mich., March 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Utilimaster®, a
go-to-market brand of Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAR),
reporting under the Spartan Fleet Vehicles and Services business
unit, today unveiled the new Class 3 Velocity® M3 walk-in cargo van
at The Work Truck Show in a press conference held this
morning. The Utilimaster Velocity M3, built on a
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cab and chassis, blends the fuel efficiency,
driver ergonomics, and safety provisions of a cargo van cab and
chassis with the expansive cargo space of a traditional walk-in
van. Spartan Motors' President and Chief Executive Officer,
Daryl Adams and Spartan Fleet
Vehicles and Services President, Chad
Heminover unveiled the Velocity M3 at the Indianapolis Convention Center, earlier
today.
"As innovators in fleet vehicle design and engineering,
Utilimaster translates customer feedback alongside emerging
transportation, infrastructure, and technological trends into
innovative designs," said Daryl
Adams, President and Chief Executive Officer, Spartan
Motors. "Our commitment to bringing these industry-leading products
to market faster and more efficiently means we're best positioned
to meet the needs of our customers in the first-to-last-mile
delivery segment, and beyond."
The Velocity M3 builds upon advancements from the Utilimaster
Reach®, with a lighter body design, improved payload, better fuel
efficiency, and maximized cargo space, punctuated with a
game-changing automatic access system that opens, closes, and locks
interior and exterior doors—without keys or manual effort—for
unequaled ease and stop-by-stop efficiency gains.
The Velocity M3's leading driver comfort and safety innovations
include OEM comfort seating, collision mitigation, blind spot
detection, and a 360-degree camera system with a high definition 9"
display, and rear radar sensors. Additional security measures
include three-door keyless access systems with wristband RFID
activation, an automatic side door and bulkhead door closure
feature, and an interior camera system.
Also displayed in the Utilimaster booth is the recently fully
electrified Reach EV complete vehicle, a follow-up to the
presentation of the bare chassis at last year's 2019 Work Truck
Show. The electrified Reach EV showcases Spartan's global
commitment to emerging technologies and extending alternative
propulsion technologies to customers. The Reach has served a
pivotal role with key parcel delivery customers since 2011,
offering a purpose-built delivery vehicle with a highly
customizable cargo area.
"As the first-to-last-mile delivery segment expands alongside
the growing direct-to-consumer market, our vehicles must continue
to evolve to meet the needs of our customers and their evolving
routes," said Chad Heminover,
President, Spartan Fleet Vehicles and Services. "Utilimaster
continues to deliver meaningful innovations to the industry.
Today, we're excited to launch the Velocity M3 and to
concurrently showcase our electrified Reach delivery vehicle, both
of which bring industry-leading proprietary engineering and design
to our customers, and sets us apart from our competitors."
In addition to the Velocity M3 and Reach EV, Utilimaster will
showcase a Ford Transit upfit package, specially tailored for
telecommunications and utility companies in the booth. The Ford
Transit specialty service upfit package, features a temperature
controlled mobile workspace, onboard auxiliary power system, and
custom cargo and tool storage area for maximum jobsite comfort and
efficiency.
Utilimaster will display a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cargo van
upfit for parcel delivery in Mercedes' booth #4359. The van
features parcel shelving, bulkhead, LED lighting, backup camera,
and grab handle for additional entrance and egress safety. This
upfit is designed for high-frequency parcel delivery usage, ideal
for urban delivery routes.
Link to video:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A2yj5afRIinNwbFF4uhRTuO4FkICdXkv/view
For more information on Spartan and Utilimaster offerings,
visit: utilimaster.spartanmotors.com
The Work Truck Show is North America's largest work
truck event. Attendees interact with thousands of industry
professionals, meet with current suppliers and customers, find
solutions to resolve technical issues, and "talk shop" with
industry peers at special events and receptions. For more
information, visit www.worktruckshow.com.
About Spartan Motors
Spartan Motors,
Inc. is the North American leader in specialty vehicle
manufacturing and assembly for the commercial and retail vehicle
industries (including last-mile delivery, specialty service, and
vocation-specific upfit segments), as well as for recreational
vehicle markets. The Company is organized into two core business
segments: Spartan Fleet Vehicles and Services and Spartan Specialty
Vehicles. Today, its family of brands also includes Utilimaster,
Royal Truck Body, Strobes-R-Us, Spartan Chassis, Spartan Authorized
Parts, Spartan Authorized Service Centers, and Spartan Factory
Service Centers. Spartan Motors and its go-to-market
brands are well known in their respective industries for quality,
durability, aftermarket product support, and first-to-market
innovation. The Company employs approximately 2,500 associates, and
operates facilities
in Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, South
Carolina, Florida, Missouri, California, Arizona, Texas,
and Saltillo, Mexico. Spartan
reported sales of $816 million in 2018. Learn more
about Spartan Motors at www.spartanmotors.com.
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SOURCE Spartan Motors, Inc.