Spartan Introduces New Emergency Rescue Chassis

The following is a press release from Spartan Motors. Please give Mary Ann Sabo a call at 616-233-0500 if you have any questions. Thank you for your interest in Spartan Motors.

Ryan McGrath Associate Lambert, Edwards & Associates www.lambert-edwards.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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, 2001 - 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."

Spartan Motors, Inc. (www.spartanmotors.com) is a leading developer and manufacturer of custom chassis for recreational vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances and other specialty vehicles. The Company also owns fire and rescue vehicle manufacturers Luverne Fire Apparatus, Quality Manufacturing and Road Rescue, Inc.

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CONTACT: John Gaedert Spartan Motors, Inc. (517) 543-6400 or Jeff Lambert, Mary Ann Sabo (mail@lambert-edwards.com) Lambert, Edwards & Associates, Inc. (616) 233-0500