Spartan Motors Gains New RV Customer
9 December 1999
Spartan Motors Gains New RV Customer
RV Supplier to Help OEM Travel Supreme Enter
The Class A Diesel Pusher Motorhome Market
CHARLOTTE, Mich., Dec. 9 -- Spartan Motors, Inc.
today announced it has been named exclusive chassis supplier to
recreational vehicle manufacturer Travel Supreme, Inc., which introduced its
first line of Class A motorhomes at the RVIA show in Louisville.
The Charlotte, Mich. chassis manufacturer said it received its first
prototype orders for Spartan's Summit chassis from Travel Supreme mid-year
1999. During the RV industry's largest trade show last week, Travel Supreme
also placed an immediate order for the new Summit GTI platform introduced by
Spartan at the Louisville show.
Travel Supreme, a Wakarusa, Ind. manufacturer of fifth-wheel travel
trailers, said its new Class A motorhome "The Travel Supreme" will capitalize
on its proven strengths in the towables market while expanding into the fast-
growing Class A diesel pusher motorhome segment.
"The Travel Supreme series marks our first entree into the Class A
motorhome market, and we wanted to go with a proven winner," said Glenn
Troyer, President of Travel Supreme. "We chose Spartan and its new Summit
series for its performance, quality and innovation and are confident that our
new Class A diesel pusher motorhome on a Spartan chassis will be an excellent
fit in the growing Class A segment. The Summit GTI will be an excellent fit
in the Travel Supreme line-up as it will allow customers to step up to more
horsepower and premium performance."
Travel Supreme will be receiving the new Summit GTI beginning in the
second quarter of 2000. Travel Supreme joins six other OEM manufacturers who
have selected the Spartan Summit platform for their Class A vehicles. Spartan
expanded its Summit line offerings at this year's RVIA show when it introduced
the Summit GTI, which introduces the new second-generation independent front
suspension (IFS) to the entry-level diesel-pusher market.
John Sztykiel, president and chief operating officer of Spartan Motors,
said the Company received prototype orders for both its Summit GTI chassis and
the Rocket FTB or "For the Boomer" chassis, a second entry-level diesel pusher
introduced last week at RVIA. These two new chassis bring diesel pushers to
the 28 ft. to 36 ft. segment of the motorhome market, which is now dominated
by gas-powered vehicles.
"Spartan Motors is gratified that RV manufacturers have recognized the
innovation we bring to the market," Sztykiel said. "The reception our two new
diesel pushers received at RVIA underscores the fact that Spartan is dedicated
to delivering innovative, high-quality products at attractive prices.
"We are also pleased to add Travel Supreme as a customer and look forward
to working with them to bring their exciting new Class A motorhome to market.
We anticipate building a long-term relationship with Travel Supreme."
Travel Supreme, Inc. has been one of the nation's leading producers of
high-end fifth wheel travel trailer products for the past 10 years and intends
to repeat that trend in the premium diesel pusher Class A motorhome
marketplace.
Spartan Motors, Inc. (http://www.spartanmotors.com ) is the leading manufacturer
of diesel-powered, custom-built chassis for the Class A motorhome market. The
Company also manufactures chassis for fire trucks, transit buses, school buses
and other specialty vehicles. Spartan owns three companies that manufacture
emergency vehicles -- Luverne Fire Apparatus, Quality Manufacturing and Road
Rescue -- and a majority stake in school bus manufacturer Carpenter
Industries, Inc.
The statements contained in this news release include certain predictions
and projections that may be considered forward-looking statements by the
securities laws. These statements involve a number of risks and
uncertainties, including but not limited to economic, competitive,
governmental and technological factors affecting the Company's operations,
markets, products, services and prices, and actual results may differ
materially.