Road Rescue to Debut New Ambulance at American Ambulance Association

ST. PAUL, Minn., Oct. 28, 2002; Road Rescue, Inc. announced today it has unveiled a new ambulance, the T2EX-treme Paramedic, during the American Ambulance Association trade show, which opened this past weekend in Indianapolis.

Road Rescue, a St. Paul, Minn. ambulance maker and wholly owned subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. , said the Paramedic features a reinforced glass-fiber resin top with built-in roll bars that provides a better fit and more durable interface with the chassis. The T2 Paramedic, along with the Duramedic featuring Road Rescue's new Smart Display electrical system, was on display in Booth 422 during the weekend show.

"The T2 Paramedic is a quantum leap forward in design and build," said Chuck Drake, president of Road Rescue. "Our new top is lighter in weight, yet more durable. We have improved the interface with the chassis, eliminating vibrations, noise and wear. Not only is the fit and finish superior to other Type II ambulances currently in the market, this new design allows us to shorten the production time involved.

"This new ambulance takes Road Rescue into the Type II segment of the market, allowing us to provide a more complete product line by offering an ambulance type that our dealers have requested. Road Rescue enjoys excellent brand recognition, and we expect to leverage the strength of the T2 Paramedic and expand our dealer base."

The T2EX-treme Paramedic, which sits on a Ford E350 chassis, also features:

A core matt material used to strengthen the top while reducing weight Reinforced high-tensile, upper-steel roll cage featuring seven roll bars integrated into the top Full antenna ground plane embedded in the fiberglass top laminate Choice of two floor plans to accommodate vertical or horizontal oxygen storage Combination wood and aluminum interior designed to prevent moisture penetration or contamination Automotive-design formed cab switch console Swing-down mounted electrical distribution center for ease of service "Our new design will substantially shorten the time between order and delivery," Drake said. "We have already begun taking orders for the new Paramedic and expect to ship our first vehicle December 2002. The Paramedic is being produced at our new facility in South Carolina."

Road Rescue featured its Duramedic ambulance equipped with a new Smart Display electrical system during the show. The Smart Display won rave reviews from dealers and customers alike when it was introduced at the Fire Department Instructors Conference in April 2002. The Smart Display combines advanced software with state-of-the-art electronics to provide improved vehicle performance.

As the industry's first liquid-crystal display (LCD), Smart Display technology serves as a mini on-board computer with a 6.4-inch display that delivers continual information feedback to the driver. As the technology evolves, Road Rescue expects to include additional features such as a global positioning system (GPS), text messaging and Internet access.

About Road Rescue and Spartan Motors

Established in 1976, Road Rescue, Inc. (www.roadrescue.com ) designs and manufactures custom modular ambulances and specialty vehicles. Road Rescue, which is owned by Spartan Motors, Inc. , produces five ambulance models, has 20 dealers in the United States and Canada, and employs more than 150 people. Spartan Motors, Inc. (www.spartanmotors.com ) is a leading developer and manufacturer of custom chassis for fire trucks, ambulances, recreational vehicles, and other specialty vehicles. The Company also owns fire and rescue vehicle manufacturers Luverne Fire Apparatus Co., Ltd., and Quality Manufacturing, Inc.