Spartan Motors to Supply New Summit RV Chassis to National RV Holdings

CHARLOTTE, Mich., March 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Custom chassis engineer and manufacturer Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPAR) today announced plans to supply recreational vehicle chassis to Perris, Calif.-based National RV Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:NVH) .

Charlotte, Mich.-based Spartan Motors said it has received orders to supply its newly introduced Summit custom chassis to National RV Holdings for certain of their Class A motorhome models. Spartan Motors introduced the Summit chassis at the RV industry's largest trade show in December 1998. The orders from National RV are Spartan's first-ever from the leading RV maker and marketer.

"This new relationship with National RV is affirmation of both our commitment to be the premium supplier to the market, and specifically, our investments in research and development to launch an industry-leading product like the Summit series," said John Sztykiel, Spartan Motors president and chief operating officer. "We are optimistic that National RV will develop into a quality, long-term partner as we work together to serve the growing market for premium motorhomes."

"Integrating Spartan's chassis into National RV's product mix adds depth to our already strong lineup of Class A motorhomes. We are looking forward to forging an alliance with Spartan and capitalizing on the positive economic and demographic trends driving the recreational vehicle market," said Raul Gimenez, vice president of operations for National RV Holdings.

According to RVIA statistics, the motorhome market experienced double-digit percentage growth in 1998, including a 14.1% increase in the Class A or premium motorhome segment.

National RV Holdings, Inc. is one of the nation's leading manufacturers of Class A motorhomes. Through its National RV subsidiary, the Company designs, manufactures and markets Class A motorhomes and fifth-wheel travel trailers under brand names including Dolphin, Sea Breeze, Tropi-Cal, Tradewinds, Sea View and Surf Side. Through its Country Coach subsidiary, the Company designs, manufactures and markets high-end (Highline) Class A motorhomes and bus conversions under brand names including Concept, Affinity, Magna, Intrigue, and Allure.

National RV just moved to fourth place in the ranking of the top Class A manufacturers as of January 1999, according to Grand Rapids, Mich.-based RV industry researcher Statistical Surveys, Inc. National RV was also recognized as one of America's 100 fastest growing companies in Fortune magazine and ranked 7th in the 200 Best Small Companies in the November 2, 1998 issue of Forbes.

Spartan Motors, Inc. (http://www.spartanmotors.com/) is a leading engineer and manufacturer of diesel-powered, custom-built chassis for the Class A motorhome market. The Company also manufactures chassis for fire trucks, transit buses, school buses and other specialty vehicles. Spartan owns three companies that manufacture emergency vehicles -- Luverne Fire Apparatus, Quality Manufacturing and Road Rescue -- and a stake in school bus manufacturer Carpenter Industries, Inc.

Source: Spartan Motors, Inc.

Contact: John Gaedert of Spartan Motors, 517-543-6400; or Jeff Lambert
or Brian Edwards of Lambert, Edwards & Associates, 616-233-0500, or
LamEdPR@aol.com

Website: http://www.spartanmotors.com/