Utilimaster Corporation, a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc.
(Nasdaq:SPAR), and a market leading manufacturer of walk-in vans
and commercial truck bodies for the Delivery and Service market;
and Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc., the distributor of
America's best-selling low-cab-forward trucks, today announced they
will celebrate the launch of the ReachTM commercial van with a
plant dedication at Utilimaster's headquarters located in Wakarusa,
Indiana.
Executive leadership from Utilimaster and Spartan Motors, Inc.,
as well as from Isuzu Commercial Truck of America and Isuzu
Manufacturing Services of America, will commemorate the plant
dedication and product launch with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and
gift exchange. They will be joined by customers, government
officials, media and special guests for the occasion.
"The Reach represents a great opportunity to impact our
customers' businesses, significantly reduce both fuel consumption
across their fleets as well as their carbon footprint," said John
Forbes, President of Utilimaster Corporation. "Today is the
culmination of a focused program that benefited from the global
resources and powertrain capabilities of Isuzu, and the
market-specific knowledge and product development capabilities of
Utilimaster."
Introduced in March 2011, the Reach – with a body designed by
Utilimaster atop a rugged Isuzu NPR ECO-MAX chassis powered by
Isuzu's legendary 3.0-liter diesel engine – offers the
functionality of a custom-built work truck along with the styling
and ergonomics of a cargo van, while achieving 35 percent better
fuel economy than a traditional commercial van. The Reach offers
best-in-class mileage and meets the latest EPA emissions standards,
yet still provides true commercial truck capabilities and delivers
a dramatically lower cost of ownership than traditional walk-in
vans.
Commenting on this occasion, John Sztykiel, President and CEO of
Spartan Motors, said: "The continued diligent work of everyone
involved on this product has positioned us for further growth in
the delivery and service market. Today we celebrate the success of
this team and their ability to produce a sustainable product that
meets the duty-cycle demands of our customers, improved safety
performance and driver ergonomics, as well as an exceptionally low
cost of ownership."
Powering the Reach is Isuzu's state-of-the-art, bio-diesel fuel
compatible 4JJ1-TC 3.0-liter turbocharged engine, mated to an Aisin
medium-duty six-speed automatic transmission. Both the engine and
transmission have class-leading B10 durability ratings of 310,000
miles, meaning that 90 percent of units will reach that mileage
before requiring an overhaul.
Utilimaster guided the development of the Reach's aerodynamic
shape, along with its use of composite materials, which together
improve fuel efficiency and reduce interior noise. The lightweight
composite materials provide a 700-pound weight savings compared to
traditional aluminum and steel materials. The Reach van also
employs impact-resistant composite panels that are designed to
reduce overall maintenance costs. In the event of a collision, the
vehicle's lower body cladding can be easily and quickly replaced,
reducing costly downtime.
The Reach is offered in a 151 inch wheelbase – and two body
lengths – 12 and 14 feet. With an interior up to 27 inches higher
than a conventional Domestic van, and ten inches wider than
imported vans, the cargo area of the Reach offers 540 or 630 cubic
feet of storage, depending on the body length selected.
Unlike typical cargo vans, the Reach design allows the driver to
quickly enter the cargo area without leaving the vehicle. An array
of modular vocational packages affords buyers a choice of factory-
or field-installed options that are designed to take full advantage
of the van's expansive aisle width and headroom. In addition, the
Reach is the only van to offer either rear swing doors or an
integrated, composite roll-up door.
Images of the plant dedication, product launch ceremony, and
detailed product information on the Reach will be available at
www.utilimaster.com.
Quick Facts
Sustainability
- Isuzu's 4JJ1-TC engine reduces carbon dioxide emissions by more
than 11 tons (or 22,000 lbs.) per vehicle per year
- Front wheel wells, step-well liners, and other parts are made
from durable recycled materials
- 13.1 percent more aerodynamic than other commercial vans of
this class
- One-piece roof assembly and water channels provide a superior
cargo area seal
Durability
- Isuzu's 4JJ1-TC clean diesel offers a long-life 310,000 mile
B10 powertrain rating++
- Rugged Isuzu NPR ECO-MAX chassis
- Body-on-frame design provides for lower maintenance and
accident repair costs
- Impact-resistant, molded lower panels are designed for quick
removal and replacement
Cost of Ownership
- Isuzu's world-proven 4JJ1-TC clean diesel technology utilizes
an intercooled turbocharger and delivers over a 35 percent
improvement* in fuel-efficiency
- Fleets can realize significant fuel savings in excess of $2,500
per vehicle per year, depending on conditions, duty-cycle and other
variables
- Corrosion-resistant, composite construction saves 700 lbs. per
vehicle
Capacity/Efficiency
- Improved door configuration and lower step heights yields
faster entry/egress for improved productivity
- Cargo area offers additional aisle width which is 50 percent
greater than other vehicles in this class
- Easily accessible from the driver's seat, the class-leading
cargo area allows operators over six feet tall to walk in and out
of the van in an upright position
- 450 - 630 cu. ft. of cargo capacity
- Modular vocational packages afford buyers a choice of factory
or field-installed options that are designed to take full advantage
of the van's expansive aisle width and headroom
Safety
- Safety hand rails at each door and available integrated backup
camera "High-visibility" steps positioned lower (both sides and
rear door) with slip-resistant carbide tread
- LED lighting illuminates more effectively and offers enhanced
durability
- Keyless door and auto-opening bulkhead door improves driver
safety and efficiency
- "Quiet Cab" is up to six times quieter than competitive
vehicles in this class**
++ |
90% of 4JJ1-TC engines will reach that
mileage before requiring an overhaul |
* |
Compare to class 3 - 5 commercial walk-in
vans: testing conducted by an independent, certified party |
** |
Class 3 - 5 commercial walk-in vans |
About Utilimaster
Utilimaster, www.utilimaster.com, a subsidiary of Spartan
Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPAR), is a leading manufacturer of walk-in
vans and commercial truck bodies for the delivery and service
market place. Utilimaster designs, develops and manufactures
products to customer specifications for use in the package
delivery, one-way truck rental, bakery/snack delivery, utility, and
linen/uniform rental businesses. The company serves a diverse
customer base and also sells aftermarket parts and accessories.
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™, Crimson Fire™, Crimson Fire
Aerials™, and Utilimaster® - are known for quality, value, service
and first-to-market innovation. The Company employs approximately
1,900 at facilities in Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Dakota,
Indiana, Florida, and Texas. Spartan reported sales of $481 million
in 2010 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.
About Isuzu
Isuzu Motors Limited (Isuzu) is one of the world's largest
manufacturers of medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Since building its
first truck in 1918, Isuzu has sold over 26 million trucks
worldwide. Among its innovations are the first air-cooled diesel
engine in 1936, the first two-ton low-cab-forward truck in 1959,
and the first direct-injection diesel engine.
Headquartered in Anaheim, California, Isuzu Commercial Truck of
America, Inc. (ICTA), is the distributor of Isuzu commercial
vehicles in the United States. Isuzu commercial trucks have been
the best-selling low-cab-forward trucks in America every year since
1986. For more information, call 866.441.9638 or visit
www.isuzucv.com.
CONTACT: Russell Chick
Corporate Director of Marketing
Spartan Motors, Inc.
517.997.3852
Spartan Motors (NASDAQ:SPAR)
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