Spartan Motors Introduces First Customizable Faceplate for Fire Truck Chassis

Gladiator's Composite Front End Allows OEM-Specific Look

INDIANAPOLIS, April 3 -- Fire apparatus maker Central States wanted a Spartan chassis, but with their own distinctive look. And they got it, thanks to a new "private label" chassis program by Spartan.

Spartan Motors Chassis, a wholly owned subsidiary of Charlotte, Mich.- based Spartan Motors, Inc. , said it has teamed with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Central States to build the fire truck industry's first fully-customized front-end on a Gladiator cab and chassis. The cab will feature a distinct Central States look, which is possible through the design and engineering of the Gladiator's composite and moldable front-end.

Spartan introduced the new dramatic styled Gladiator Evolution and the new Classic styled Gladiator at the 2002 FDIC. The Central States pumper with the uniquely customized Gladiator chassis will be on display at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC), booth 2537, in Indianapolis, Ind., April 3-5.

"When we introduced the Gladiator, we made it possible for our fire truck OEM customers to choose their own unique look for their models," said Rich Schalter, president of Spartan Motors Chassis. "Spartan Motors is taking the custom chassis concept to the next level by providing our customers the opportunity to work with our designers and engineers to make a look that is all their own. We believe this approach will be very attractive to our customers, and allow them to differentiate their trucks while still utilizing the proven performance of a Spartan chassis." In addition, the new Gladiator proved its sturdiness by passing the fire truck industry's rigid ECE-29 impact test.

The new Gladiator series, including the Evolution and Classic models, is a dramatic enhancement of Spartan's popular Gladiator chassis. The new Gladiator offers increased cab space, enhanced interior climate control, improved engine performance, and superior ergonomics in addition to the molded composite front end.

The overhead HVAC system contains a 45,000 BTU defroster that can defrost a window in half the time required by SAE test standards. The HVAC also increases heating capacity by 67 percent compared to the engine tunnel unit. Spartan Motors also designed and engineered the new Gladiator to make maintenance up to 30 percent easier than other chassis on the market today thanks to service access panels in the front of the cab. The Gladiator features improved emissions to meet EPA standards through 2007. And thanks to increased cooling performance, the engine will be able to run faster -- and pump water faster -- for longer periods of time without overheating.

About Spartan Motors

Spartan Motors designs, engineers and manufactures custom chassis and vehicles for the recreational vehicle, fire truck, ambulance and emergency-rescue markets. The company's brand names -- Spartan(R), Crimson Fire(R) and Road Rescue(R) -- are known in their market niches for quality, innovation, value and service. Spartan Motors employs more than 750 at facilities in Michigan, South Dakota, Alabama, Minnesota and South Carolina and is publicly traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market.

NOTE TO EDITORS: See Spartan Motors Chassis products at FDIC in Booth # 2537.