Spartan Motors Awarded Subcontract by BAE Systems

CHARLOTTE, Mich., Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Spartan Motors Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAR), has been awarded a subcontract order from defense contractor BAE Systems to support the production of 32 Armored Utility Vehicles under the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) program.

Under the terms of the subcontract, the Michigan-based custom chassis manufacturer will supply and integrate key chassis components for the United States Special Operations Command ("USSOCOM") MRAP vehicles for delivery beginning in March 2011 and continuing through July 2011. Additionally, Spartan will support suspension upgrades for enhanced mobility of more than 200 MRAP variants previously produced by BAE Systems.

John Sztykiel, President and CEO of Spartan Motors, said: "This subcontract is another win for our U.S. forces that are in harm's way. Countering the significant threat posed by improvised explosive devices remains a constant battle every day in Afghanistan. Just as in Iraq, these specialized armored vehicles will assist our servicemen and women in accomplishing their missions safely."

Sztykiel added: "Subcontract awards such as this one validate the technical innovation and operational strengths of Spartan's defense and government business unit. Fulfilling smaller orders with greater product variation in a short timeframe is our niche."

In addition to this award, Spartan continues its ongoing support of MRAP prime contractors and the U.S. Government by providing spare/replacement parts for many of the MRAP vehicles built at Spartan since 2005.

About Spartan Motors Chassis, Inc.

Spartan Motors Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAR), is a world-class leader in the engineering, manufacturing and marketing of chassis and aftermarket parts for emergency-response, outdoor recreation/RV, defense and specialty vehicles. Spartan Chassis is ISO 9001:2008 certified for the design and assembly of chassis and service components/parts for military defense vehicles. Visit Spartan Chassis on the web at www.spartanchassis.com.

About Spartan Motors, Inc.

Spartan Motors, Inc. (www.spartanmotors.com) designs, engineers and manufactures specialty chassis, specialty vehicles and truck bodies and aftermarket parts for the Outdoor Recreation/RV, emergency-response, defense, government services, delivery and service markets. The Company's brand names - Spartan™, Crimson Fire™, Crimson Fire Aerials™ and Utilimaster® - are known for quality, value, service and being the first to market with innovative products. The Company employs approximately 1,600 at facilities in Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Indiana and Texas. Spartan reported sales of $430 million in 2009 and is focused on becoming a global leader in the manufacture of specialty vehicles and chassis.

This release contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements concerning our business, future plans and objectives and the performance of our products. Forward looking statements are identifiable by words such as "believe," "anticipate," "will," "sustain," and "continue." These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that ultimately may not prove to be accurate. For example, we may encounter unforeseen difficulties and challenges in entering new markets or in pursuing strategic acquisitions. In addition, technical and other complications may arise that could prevent the timely implementation of our plans or that may impact the expected outcome of those plans. As a result, actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company cautions that these forward-looking statements are further qualified by other factors including, but not limited to, those set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filing and other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (available at http://www.sec.gov). Government contracts and subcontracts typically involve long payment and purchase cycles, competitive bidding, qualification requirements, delays or changes in funding, extensive specification development and changes, price negotiations and milestone requirements. An announced award of a governmental contract is not equivalent to a finalized executed contract and does not assure that orders will be issued and filled. Government agencies also often retain some portion of fees payable upon completion of a project and collection of contract fees may be delayed for long periods, which can negatively impact both prime contractors and subcontractors. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE Spartan Motors, Inc.