Spartan Introduces New Emergency Rescue Chassis at Industry Trade Show

Company Also Expands Presence in Rescue Market with New Distribution Agreement

    CHARLOTTE, Mich., March 6 Spartan Motors, Inc.
unveiled the Medical Response-1 (MR-1) a new emergency rescue
chassis that allows medical personnel to reach the patient they are
transporting without having to leave the vehicle or to move about the cab more
freely.  The announcement was made during the Fire District Instructors
Conference (FDIC), one of the emergency vehicle industry's largest trade shows
in Indianapolis, Ind.

    Road Rescue, Inc., a subsidiary of the Charlotte, Mich. manufacturer of
custom chassis and emergency vehicles, also debuted a new custom ambulance
that it has designed and built under a private label for one of the nation's
leading distributors of emergency vehicles.  This new ambulance offers more
work and storage space.

    "The potential of the new MR-1 ambulance chassis, as well as our
partnership with a significant distributor of emergency vehicles, underscore
our continued commitment to provide innovative products and vehicles to this
market," said John Sztykiel, president and chief operating officer of Spartan
Motors.  "These two new products demonstrate our belief that the fire
apparatus and ambulance markets hold tremendous opportunity for both revenue
and income growth.

    "Spartan Motors has built a reputation in all our markets through creative
engineering solutions that anticipate -- and then fulfill -- our customers'
needs.  We continue to leverage our expertise by transferring our
technological advancements there into new products in related markets."

    Spartan's new custom emergency vehicle chassis, the MR-1, is a case in
point.  Spartan engineers eliminated the engine tunnel, which in the past
separated the front of the cab from the rear and required emergency personnel
to physically exit the vehicle to reach the patient.  Spartan's new design
creates a "flat floor" that offers an easy walkway with more open access
between the drivers, officers, patients and equipment.  The MR-1 increases
flat floor space by 25 percent, creating more storage and workspace for the
emergency personnel, allowing manufacturers to install a complete
communications center or other equipment.

    Spartan's innovation with its MR-1 is similar to its newly released mid-
engine chassis, the Me-2, for recreational vehicles.  Spartan engineers took
the engine and transmission from the rear and located it in the center of the
coach without having to raise the floor.  Both chassis focus on making the
engine "disappear," giving manufacturers more flexibility in designing greater
living and storage space.  Spartan is in the process of patenting its MR-1 and
Me-2 designs.

    "Our new ambulance chassis is unique to the industry, and generated a lot
of excitement at the FDIC show," Sztykiel said.  "As private ambulance
companies continue to exit the business, local fire departments are stepping
in to take over their responsibilities.  Many of these fire departments, which
already know and use our products, are beginning to replace old and outdated
ambulances -- and they are looking for vehicles that meet their needs today
and tomorrow.  The MR-1 design is a technological step forward that will
advance the way of thinking in the emergency vehicle industry."

    Road Rescue's new ambulance is a custom aluminum extrusion vehicle
designed to provide more work and storage space, easier patient access and
more efficient clean up.  It will feature ergonomically designed workspaces,
additional storage space for patient care equipment and emergency tools, and
stainless steel cabinets and benches for easier cleaning.

    "We are pleased to partner with one of the industry's leading distributors
of emergency vehicles to bring our new ambulance to market," said Charles
Drake, president of Road Rescue.  "We have focused a lot of attention to the
little details that should make a big difference in the daily lives of
emergency personnel."