CHARLOTTE, Mich., May 22, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spartan Chassis, Inc. ("Spartan" or the "Company"), a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPAR), introduced today its new Passive Steer Tag Axle* for the Recreational Vehicle (RV) industry. This purpose-built Passive Steer Tag Axle produces a 7% reduction in curb-to-curb turning radius.
"Spartan's Passive Steer Tag Axle has been designed, engineered and purpose-built for motorhomes in the recreational vehicle industry," said Timothy Hamm, Vice President, Sales and Business Development of the Specialty Vehicles business unit, Spartan Chassis. "We take great pride in the competencies of the technical staff at Spartan and the ground-up approach they bring to chassis engineering. This passive tag is not an adaptation of an existing design."
Spartan Chassis has designed and packaged its Passive Steer Tag Axle to minimize intrusion into the OEM's floor plans. Additionally, reduced system mass achieved through a unique design enables increased cargo carrying capacity, depending on the configuration of the OEM's floor plan.
When a motorhome equipped with the Spartan Passive Steer Tag Axle is shifted into reverse, the alignment mechanism automatically straightens the tires to further reduce tire wear.
The Passive Steer Tag Axle is standard equipment on the 2015 Model Year Newmar Essex and King Aire Luxury Motor Coaches on a Spartan Chassis platform.
Spartan custom manufactures chassis to the individual specifications of its RV OEM customers such as Entegra Coach, Newmar Corporation and Tiffin Motorhomes.
*Model restrictions apply
About Spartan Chassis, Inc.
Spartan Chassis, Inc. is a world-class leader in the engineering, manufacturing and marketing of chassis and aftermarket parts for emergency-response, recreational vehicle (RV), defense and specialty vehicles. End users recognize and request the Spartan Chassis brand, which consistently delivers superior performance, exceptional safety ratings and innovations which distinguish us from the competition. Visit Spartan Chassis at www.spartanchassis.com.
About Spartan Motors
Spartan Motors, Inc. designs, engineers and manufactures specialty chassis, specialty vehicles, truck bodies and aftermarket parts for the recreational vehicle (RV), emergency response, government services, defense, and delivery and service markets. The Company's brand names – Spartan™, Spartan Chassis™, Spartan ER™, Spartan ERV™ and Utilimaster® - are known for quality, performance, service and first-to-market innovation. The Company employs approximately 1,800 associates at facilities in Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Indiana, and Florida. Spartan reported sales of $471 million in 2012 and is focused on becoming a global leader in the design, engineering and manufacture of specialty vehicles and chassis. Visit Spartan Motors at www.spartanmotors.com.
This release contains several forward-looking statements that are not historical facts, including statements concerning our business, strategic position, financial strength, future plans, objectives, and the performance of our products. These statements can be identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "potential," "future," "may," "will," "should," and similar expressions regarding future expectations. These forward-looking statements involve various known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, and likelihood. Therefore, actual performance and results may materially differ from what may be expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could contribute to these differences include operational and other complications that may arise affecting the implementation of our plans and business objectives; continued pressures caused by economic conditions and the pace and extent of the economic recovery; challenges that may arise in connection with the integration of new businesses or assets we acquire or the disposition of assets; issues unique to government contracting, such as competitive bidding processes, qualification requirements, and delays or changes in funding; disruptions within our dealer network; changes in our relationships with major customers, suppliers, or other business partners, including Isuzu; changes in the demand or supply of products within our markets or raw materials needed to manufacture those products; and changes in laws and regulations affecting our business. Other factors that could affect outcomes are set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which are available at www.sec.gov or our website. All forward-looking statements in this release are qualified by this paragraph. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.