Spartan Keeps Pace with Consumer Demand with Feature-Packed Chassis
For Class ‘A’ Market
CHARLOTTE, Mich., Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Buyers of high-end
motorhomes demand the latest features, most comfortable ride, and newest
high-tech components for their coaches. For three decades, Spartan Motors
Chassis has met that demand with a variety of diesel pusher chassis that offer
the best performance, ride and handling.
Now, the Charlotte, Mich.-based subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc.
(Nasdaq: SPAR) intends to bring high-performance chassis to an entirely new
level. Spartan Chassis today premiered the all new K3 chassis, a feature-
packed diesel chassis designed to offer the ultimate in RV comfort and
performance. The Company unveiled the K3 at the Recreation Vehicle Industry
Association (RVIA) tradeshow in Louisville, Ky., which runs from Dec. 2-4.
(Booth #1025)
“The buyers of high-end motorhomes are demanding more features and options
from their RVs than ever before, which adds weight and extreme performance
demands,” said Richard Schalter, president of Spartan Chassis. “At the same
time, they expect the very best power, ride and handling. The all-new K3
chassis represents our commitment to bring the ultimate chassis platform to RV
owners and manufacturers who demand the best.”
An important feature of the K3 is the stronger frame structure. This
truss design is the strongest in the industry, and enables OEMs to slide out
either one or both sides of the vehicle if they desire, adding a huge amount
of square footage and living area. Spartan said the introduction of the K3
chassis, coupled with its new Competitor chassis, the lowest-cost diesel
chassis on the market, gives Spartan Chassis the broadest selection of
products in the diesel RV market. Spartan said it has already delivered
prototypes of the K3 chassis to OEMs with production slated to begin during
the second quarter of 2004.
The K3 chassis features a rear-engine mounted Cummins ISX 525hp engine, a
side cooling system, and a towing capacity of 15,000 lbs. In addition, the K3
offers:
— A reinforced, raised structural frame consisting of a web of steel
frame rails and sub-structural support beams.
— An Allison 4000MH 6-Speed transmission that provides 1,650 lbs. per
foot of torque.
— A Ridewell 34,000 lb. rear suspension, which includes a 14,000 lb. tag
axle. This axle offers a smoother, more stable ride and better weight
distribution.
— Optional air-supply line for a tow vehicle breaking system.
Standard features on the K3 include 5″ NGI gauges, electronic height
control valves, an all-wheel tire pressure monitoring system and a power
tilt/telescoping steering column. The K3 also offers Knorr Brehmse air disc
front brakes and a Dana Kirkstall IFS84 front suspension.
“We expect the K3 chassis to expand Spartan’s market share leadership in
the upper-end diesel segment, where our innovation, structural integrity and
custom features stand out from the competition,” said John Sztykiel, Spartan
Motors chief executive officer. “While the entry-level diesel sector is
showing strong unit growth, the fastest growing segment is 500 hp and above
motorhomes. The K3 specifically targets this trend, and we expect it to be
the standard bearer for OEMs and end-users looking for the premier chassis in
the market.”
About Spartan Motors, Inc.
Spartan Motors, Inc. (theshyftgroup.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 approximately 700 at facilities
in Michigan, South Dakota, Alabama, Minnesota 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” that a
particular result may occur, or that its “guidance” or “initial guidance” is
that a particular event may occur. 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.
SOURCE Spartan Motors, Inc.