Spartan Introduces 'NEAT' New Vehicle for the Non Emergency Response Market
December 02 2009 - 8:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
CHARLOTTE, Mich., Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Spartan Chassis,
Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPAR), today
introduced a new Non-Emergency Ambulance Transport (NEAT) vehicle
at the American Ambulance Association annual conference in Las
Vegas (Booth #10-11). The NEAT vehicle is a low-cost transport
vehicle designed for the growing medical/handicap/transport/taxi
market, where the patient is not in critical condition and services
can be reimbursed by health care providers and the federal
government. "Traditional ambulances are often the vehicle of choice
for health-related or disability transportation, but they are an
expensive and often less flexible option," said John Sztykiel,
President and CEO of Spartan Motors. "With 11,000 people turning 50
years old each day and over 60 million people considered to be
handicapped in the U.S., the NEAT is an ideal, fully equipped
vehicle to serve this large and growing population." Spartan
developed the NEAT using a Ford Transit Connect. The NEAT retains
many of the qualities that have made the Transit Connect the
preferred platform for a variety of retrofits. Features of the NEAT
include dual sliding doors, street-smart maneuverability,
low-vehicle height, and a 2.0 Duratec I-4 engine and 4-speed
automatic transmission. The NEAT offers best-in-class fuel economy,
providing up to 25 mpg on the highway. Spartan transformed the 135
cu. ft. cargo area of the vehicle to create a non-emergency
transport vehicle that still offers rescue and emergency response
capabilities. "Our goal with the NEAT was to create an affordable,
dependable solution for the organizations that provide this
valuable service to the elderly and handicapped in our
communities," said Sztykiel. "The NEAT is a well designed,
versatile and functional vehicle that offers both the service
provider and the passenger a comfortable, car-like ride along with
the peace of mind that comes from knowing the vehicle has all of
the necessary equipment to deal with a variety of medical
emergencies that may occur in transit." The NEAT includes such
features as a fully functional attendant seat with safety
harness/seatbelt, gurney locking system for travel mode, oxygen
bottle storage and delivery system (all of which will be FMVSS/KKK
compliant), suction system, Sharps container, overhead dual level
lighting, medical glove storage area, multiple other storage areas,
master control panel, waste basket, and fire extinguisher. An
optional DVD player for long transport mode operation has also been
engineered in to provide an improved atmosphere for the patient.
Additionally, depending on requirements, the unit can also
transport a wheel chair (in a stowed position). By using
lightweight materials Spartan is able to offer the maximum amount
of benefits including the ability to carry three people (two crew
and one patient), while still maintaining the weight of the overall
vehicle well within the Ford guidelines. All of this was
accomplished without the need to drill any holes into the Ford body
or cut into the Ford wiring. An added benefit to the Spartan design
is that in a non-transport mode the attendant can ride in the
standard Ford passenger seat located next to the driver. "The NEAT
will be available for less than $50,000, thus it's low acquisition
cost and low operating cost (excellent fuel economy), make it a
very exciting concept," said Sztykiel. About Spartan Motors
Chassis, Inc. Spartan Motors Chassis, Inc.,
(http://www.spartanmotors.com/) a subsidiary of Spartan Motors,
Inc. (NASDAQ:SPAR), designs, engineers and manufactures custom
chassis, specialty vehicles and truck bodies and aftermarket parts
for the outdoor recreation/RV, emergency-response, defense,
delivery and service markets. The company's brand names -
Spartan(TM), Crimson Fire(TM), Crimson Fire Aerials(TM), Road
Rescue(TM) and Utilimaster® - are known for quality, value, service
and being the first to market with innovative products. The company
employs approximately 1,500 at facilities in Michigan,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Indiana and Texas.
Spartan reported sales of $844.4 million in 2008 and is focused on
becoming a global leader in the manufacture of specialty vehicles
and chassis. This release contains forward-looking statements,
including, without limitation, statements concerning our business,
future plans and objectives and the performance of our products.
These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and
uncertainties that ultimately may not prove to be accurate. Actual
results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. Technical complications may arise
that could prevent the prompt implementation of the plans outlined
above. The company cautions that these forward-looking statements
are further qualified by other factors including, but not limited
to, those set forth in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
filing and other filings with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission (available at http://www.sec.gov/). Government
contracts and subcontracts typically involve long payment and
purchase cycles, competitive bidding, qualification requirements,
delays or changes in funding, extensive specification development
and changes, price negotiations and milestone requirements. An
announced award of a governmental contract is not equivalent to a
finalized executed contract and does not assure that orders will be
issued and filled. Government agencies also often retain some
portion of fees payable upon completion of a project and collection
of contract fees may be delayed for long periods, which can
negatively impact both prime contractors and subcontractors. The
company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
statements in this release, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as required by law. DATASOURCE:
Spartan Motors, Inc. CONTACT: Karen Hildebrant of Spartan Chassis,
Inc., +1-517-543-6400 ext. 3111; or Jeremy Bakken or Jeff Lambert
of Lambert, Edwards & Associates, +1-616-233-0500 Web Site:
http://www.spartanmotors.com/
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