Fire Truck Cab/Chassis is built for emergency-rescue.
Press Release Summary:
Bridging custom and commercial vehicles, Furion® is purpose-built specifically for emergency-rescue industry and rolls off assembly line ready for apparatus to be fitted. Its 94 in. galvanized steel cab, with under-dash heating and air conditioning system, provides room for 6 crew members and equipment, while cab-over-engine design promotes visibility and maneuverability. In crash tests, product complies with SAE J2422, ECE R29, and SAE J2420 requirements.
Original Press Release:
Spartan Chassis Introduces the Furion® at IAFC
Furion Bridges Commercial and Custom Markets, Completes the Spartan Chassis Product Line
CHARLOTTE, Mich., Aug. 23 -- Spartan Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPAR), will unveil the Furion(R) today at the Fire-Rescue International Expo in Atlanta.
The Furion, which is the third fire truck cab and chassis in the Spartan Chassis product line, is designed to bridge the market between custom and commercial vehicles. This new product offers many of the key product features that Spartan Chassis is known -- and prized -- for, yet will enable the body builder to offer a fire truck at a price competitive to a fire truck built on a commercial chassis.
The Furion will be on display August 24-25 at Booth 1912 at FRI, which is sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and is one of the emergency-rescue industry's largest trade shows. Spartan Chassis will host a brief media conference on Friday, August 24, at 11 a.m.
"The addition of the Furion completes our line up of custom cabs and chassis," said Richard Schalter, president of Spartan Chassis. "Between the Gladiator(TM), Metro Star(R) and Furion, we offer departments the opportunity to build what they want -- and get what they want.
"Spartan Chassis offers the next generation of custom by offering more than 5,000 options. Because of Spartan's flexible design capability we can meet the specific needs -- and budgets - of fire departments from coast to coast."
Unlike its commercial counterparts, which might wind up as a delivery or moving truck, the Furion is a purpose-built cab-and-chassis specifically designed for the emergency-rescue industry. When a Furion rolls off the Spartan Chassis line, it is ready for an apparatus to be fitted, which will save the body builder hours of time and labor in chassis preparation currently required on commercial chassis.
"The Furion is a major initiative for Spartan Chassis and Spartan Motors and marks our entry into the customized commercial chassis market," said John Sztykiel, president and CEO of Spartan Motors. "Historically, we have been very good at converting commercial markets to custom. Over the years, we have secured increasingly large shares in our key markets.
"The Spartan Chassis brand has tremendous cache. We feel this is an excellent time to launch the Furion, which will put the power and performance of a Spartan Chassis into the affordable range for virtually all fire departments."
The Furion features:
-- A 94-inch galvanized steel cab designed for safety, roominess and maneuverability
-- Plenty of room for six crew members and equipment
-- Cab-over-engine design, which allows for greater visibility and maneuverability
-- Advanced electrical system, featuring an under-dash heating and air conditioning system
In crash tests conducted by the Center for Advanced Product Evaluation, the Furion cab complied with roof strength, occupant protection and frontal impact requirements as defined by SAE J2422, ECE R29 and SAE J2420.
"The Furion fills a niche in our product line by removing the price barrier and providing a rugged, dependable and performance-oriented Spartan at a price that is within reach of commercial products," Schalter said.
During IAFC, show goers will be able to do side-by-side comparisons with Spartan's Gladiator and Metro Star products. The Gladiator starts with a base cab width of 96 inches and the Metro Star starts with a base cab width of 94 inches. Both offer more standard features and option packages than the Furion, and both can be customized to meet the specific needs of any department. The Gladiator is selected by fire departments that are looking for engine horsepower above 425.
About Spartan Chassis, Inc.
Spartan Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPAR), is a leading developer and manufacturer of custom chassis for recreational vehicles, fire trucks and specialty vehicles. Spartan Motors, which also manufactures emergency rescue vehicles under the brand names of Crimson Fire, Crimson Fire Aerials and Road Rescue, reported sales of $445 million in 2006 and is focused on becoming the premier manufacturer of specialty vehicles and chassis in North America.
CONTACT: Karen Hildebrant of Spartan Motors, Inc., +1-517-543-6400, Ext. 3111, or Mary Ann Sabo of Sabo Public Relations, +1-616-485-1432, for Spartan Chassis, Inc.
