Spartan Motors Names Automotive Analyst to Board of Directors

4 January 2001
Spartan Motors Names Automotive Analyst to Board of Directors
    CHARLOTTE, Mich., Jan. 4 Spartan Motors, Inc.
today announced that its board of directors has appointed
automotive analyst Kim Korth to serve a three-year term.
    The Charlotte, Mich.-based manufacturer of custom chassis and emergency
vehicles said that Korth, 45, brings with her more than 20 years of experience
in the automotive industry.  Korth is the founder of IRN, an international
automotive consulting firm that provides strategic planning, market research
and operations consulting to clients ranging from Tier One auto suppliers to
diversified manufacturing and service firms.  The addition of Korth brings
Spartan's board to a total of nine members, a majority of whom are now outside
directors.
    "I am very pleased to welcome Kim to our board," said John Sztykiel,
president and chief operating officer of Spartan Motors.  "Her expertise in
the automotive industry combined with her experience in lean manufacturing and
management consulting will further increase the resources available to our
board.  We look forward to the fresh perspective she will bring to the table
and see her appointment as another way we can work to make strategic decisions
to build shareholder value."
    Korth began her automotive career in marketing at the former Holland,
Mich.-based Prince Corp., now Johnson Controls, Inc., a leading supplier of
interior components for the auto industry.  She launched Grand Rapids, Mich.-
based IRN in 1983, which has since grown to over 20 employees and has provided
over 200 companies with automotive forecasts, research studies and planning
processes.
    Her views of the automotive industry have been frequently quoted in major
publications, such as Automotive News and other leading trade publications.
Recent speaking engagements include strategy workshops for automotive
suppliers in Michigan, France, Italy and Germany.
    Korth holds a bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University and a
master's degree from the American Graduate School of International Management.
Korth also serves as a member of the board of directors of Shape Corp., an
auto supplier based in Grand Haven, Mich., as well as the Economic Club of
Grand Rapids.  She was also a board member of Autocam, Inc., an automotive
parts supplier in Kentwood, Mich., which has since become a private company.
Korth also serves as a member of the Society of Automotive Analysts.
    Spartan Motors, Inc. (http://www.spartanmotors.com ) is a leading developer and
manufacturer of custom chassis for recreational vehicles, fire trucks,
ambulances and other specialty vehicles.  The Company also owns fire and
rescue vehicle manufacturers Luverne Fire Apparatus, Quality Manufacturing and
Road Rescue, Inc.