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Spartan Motors Gains New OEM Customer for RV Chassis

8 March 1999

Spartan Motors Gains New OEM Customer for RV Chassis

       Shipments for Damon Corporation Commencing in First Half of 1999

    CHARLOTTE, Mich., March 8 -- Custom chassis maker Spartan
Motors, Inc. today announced it has reached an agreement to
supply recreational vehicle chassis to Elkhart, Ind.-based Damon Corporation.
    The Charlotte, Mich.-based chassis engineer and manufacturer said it
received an initial order for 60 custom Mountain Master chassis for Damon's
Escaper Class 'A' motorhome.  Spartan's chassis order from Damon restores a
relationship between the two companies from nearly five years ago.
    "The improvements we've made in quality, customer service and innovative
product designs were critical factors in our ability to win back Damon's
business," said John Sztykiel, Spartan Motors President and Chief Operating
Officer.  "We are very pleased to be aligned with Damon and their progressive
RV operations and look forward to helping them build their presence in the
premium, diesel pusher RV market."
    According to Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) statistics,
rear-engine diesel motorhomes are the fastest growing segment of the overall
Class 'A' RV market and currently represent 25% of the total segment.
    Damon's Escaper motorhome will include a 300 h.p. or 330 h.p. diesel
engine; 39-foot length; slideout and high line options; and varying kitchen,
bath and bedroom layouts and accessories.  Damon's Escaper is one of five
Class 'A' models offered by the RV maker.
    "We fully expect the combination of Damon's unique coach designs and floor
plans and the premium performance of Spartan's chassis to be well received by
our dealers and the overall RV market," said Damon Corporation President Don
Pletcher.  The Escaper will be sold by select Damon dealers among the
Company's network of more than 300 dealerships nationwide.
    Jim Calerbank, director of marketing for Damon, added: "The Escaper will
be available for retail RV buyers this month.  The unit has received
outstanding reviews from the press and public at dealer shows, and we look
forward to solid sell through on this new product."
    Since its inception in 1988, Damon Corporation has become one of the
largest full-line RV manufacturers in the country.  Damon manufactures fifth
wheel, travel trailer and fold-down towable campers, park model recreational
vehicles and a variety of Class 'A' motorhomes sold under the Challenger,
Homet, Camplite, Breckenridge, Daybreak, Intruder, Ultra Sport and Escaper
model names.
    Spartan Motors, Inc. (http://www.spartanmotors.com) is a leading engineer and
manufacturer of custom chassis for recreational vehicles, as well as fire
trucks, transit buses, school buses and other specialty vehicles.  Spartan
also owns three companies that manufacture emergency vehicles -- Luverne Fire
Apparatus, Quality Manufacturing and Road Rescue -- and a stake in school bus
manufacturer Carpenter Industries, Inc.