Crimson Fire Hires Industry Veteran Jim Salmi as VP

Fire-Truck Maker Will Expand Product Line, Eyes Larger Share of Aerial Market

BRANDON, S.D., June 16 -- Moving to expand its product line and become a single-source fire apparatus supplier, Crimson Fire, Inc. today announced it has hired James A. Salmi to fill a newly created position as vice president of aerial operations. His new position is effective immediately.

Brandon, S.D.-based Crimson Fire, a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. , said Salmi brings more than two decades of experience in the engineering, operations, design and sales of special- purpose vehicles. He joins Crimson Fire from American LaFrance Aerials, where he directed operations as the aerial-maker's general manager.

In his new post, Salmi will be responsible for increasing Crimson Fire's manufacturing, sales and service capabilities in the aerial niche. Until now, Crimson has relied on other suppliers to build its aerial products. Salmi will help Crimson Fire develop into a full-service designer and vertically integrated manufacturer of aerial units. The move will allow Crimson Fire to round out its fire apparatus product line, which already includes pumpers, rescue units, off-road wildfire units and other custom-built vehicles.

"We're excited to have Jim Salmi on board," said Jeff Lautt, president of Crimson Fire. "His addition to the Crimson Fire team will allow us to become a more potent force in the aerial niche, as we work to fill out our product line and expand our dealer network. By doing so, we hope to become a more valued single-source supplier to fire districts nationwide."

Over the past 20 years, Salmi has built experience in all aspects of the aerial business. He had served as American LaFrance Aerials' general manager since 1998, with responsibility for all aspects of the company's operations including engineering, manufacturing, finance and quality. During that period, he oversaw the consolidation of three companies into a single business unit and helped ALF Aerials increase sales, profitability and market share.

Previously, Salmi served as vice president of engineering and sales for Simon Ladder Towers from 1996 to 1998. He was also engineering manager and chief engineer of Simon Ladder from 1982-1995, and designed the aerial ladders used by Luverne and Quality Manufacturing, which were merged into Crimson Fire in early 2003.

"The addition of Jim Salmi is an important step for Crimson Fire," said John Sztykiel, chief executive officer of Spartan Motors. "Jim is an expert with a proven track record in the field of aerials. His reputation, knowledge and history with our company should be a stepping stone in sparking Crimson Fire's aerial operations."

About Crimson Fire

Crimson Fire, a Spartan Motors company, is a leading manufacturer of custom fire trucks and other rescue vehicles, representing quality, value and innovation. Crimson Fire was established in 2003, when Spartan Motors, Inc. merged its two fire apparatus subsidiaries, Quality Manufacturing and Luverne Fire Apparatus. Crimson Fire is headquartered in Brandon, South Dakota, and draws on more than 130 years of combined history and excellence in fire truck manufacturing. For more information regarding Crimson Fire, please visit www.crimson-fire.com .

About Spartan Motors

Spartan Motors, Inc. (www.spartanmotors.com ) 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, value, service and being the first to market with innovative products. Spartan Motors employs more than 750 at facilities in Michigan, South Dakota, Alabama and South Carolina and is publicly traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the ticker symbol SPAR.

The statements contained in this news release include certain predictions and projections that may be considered "forward-looking statements" by the securities laws. These forward-looking statements are identifiable by words or phrases indicating that the Company or management "expects" or "believes" that a particular result may occur, or similar statement. These statements involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting the Company's operations, markets, products, services and prices. Additional information about these and other factors that may adversely affect these forward-looking statements are contained in the Company's reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect developments or information obtained after the date of this news release.