Utilimaster Unveils New Velocity M3 Walk-in Cargo Van at the 2020 Work Truck Show

CHARLOTTE, Mich., March 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Utilimaster®, a go-to-market brand of Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAR), reporting under the Spartan Fleet Vehicles and Services business unit, today unveiled the new Class 3 Velocity® M3 walk-in cargo van at The Work Truck Show in a press conference held this morning.  The Utilimaster Velocity M3, built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cab and chassis, blends the fuel efficiency, driver ergonomics, and safety provisions of a cargo van cab and chassis with the expansive cargo space of a traditional walk-in van.  Spartan Motors' President and Chief Executive Officer, Daryl Adams and Spartan Fleet Vehicles and Services President, Chad Heminover unveiled the Velocity M3 at the Indianapolis Convention Center, earlier today.

"As innovators in fleet vehicle design and engineering, Utilimaster translates customer feedback alongside emerging transportation, infrastructure, and technological trends into innovative designs," said Daryl Adams, President and Chief Executive Officer, Spartan Motors. "Our commitment to bringing these industry-leading products to market faster and more efficiently means we're best positioned to  meet the needs of our customers in the first-to-last-mile delivery segment, and beyond."

The Velocity M3 builds upon advancements from the Utilimaster Reach®, with a lighter body design, improved payload, better fuel efficiency, and maximized cargo space, punctuated with a game-changing automatic access system that opens, closes, and locks interior and exterior doors—without keys or manual effort—for unequaled ease and stop-by-stop efficiency gains. 

The Velocity M3's leading driver comfort and safety innovations include OEM comfort seating, collision mitigation, blind spot detection, and a 360-degree camera system with a high definition 9" display, and rear radar sensors. Additional security measures include three-door keyless access systems with wristband RFID activation, an automatic side door and bulkhead door closure feature, and an interior camera system.

Also displayed in the Utilimaster booth is the recently fully electrified Reach EV complete vehicle, a follow-up to the presentation of the bare chassis at last year's 2019 Work Truck Show. The electrified Reach EV showcases Spartan's global commitment to emerging technologies and extending alternative propulsion technologies to customers. The Reach has served a pivotal role with key parcel delivery customers since 2011, offering a purpose-built delivery vehicle with a highly customizable cargo area.

"As the first-to-last-mile delivery segment expands alongside the growing direct-to-consumer market, our vehicles must continue to evolve to meet the needs of our customers and their evolving routes," said Chad Heminover, President, Spartan Fleet Vehicles and Services. "Utilimaster continues to deliver meaningful innovations to the industry.  Today, we're excited to launch the  Velocity M3 and to concurrently showcase our electrified Reach delivery vehicle, both of which bring industry-leading proprietary engineering and design to our customers, and sets us apart from our competitors."

In addition to the Velocity M3 and Reach EV, Utilimaster will showcase a Ford Transit upfit package, specially tailored for telecommunications and utility companies in the booth. The Ford Transit specialty service upfit package, features a temperature controlled mobile workspace, onboard auxiliary power system, and custom cargo and tool storage area for maximum jobsite comfort and efficiency.

Utilimaster will display a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cargo van upfit for parcel delivery in Mercedes' booth #4359. The van features parcel shelving, bulkhead, LED lighting, backup camera, and grab handle for additional entrance and egress safety. This upfit is designed for high-frequency parcel delivery usage, ideal for urban delivery routes.

Link to video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A2yj5afRIinNwbFF4uhRTuO4FkICdXkv/view

For more information on Spartan and Utilimaster offerings, visit: utilimaster.spartanmotors.com

The Work Truck Show is North America's largest work truck event. Attendees interact with thousands of industry professionals, meet with current suppliers and customers, find solutions to resolve technical issues, and "talk shop" with industry peers at special events and receptions. For more information, visit www.worktruckshow.com.

About Spartan Motors 
Spartan Motors, Inc. is the North American leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing and assembly for the commercial and retail vehicle industries (including last-mile delivery, specialty service, and vocation-specific upfit segments), as well as for recreational vehicle markets. The Company is organized into two core business segments: Spartan Fleet Vehicles and Services and Spartan Specialty Vehicles. Today, its family of brands also includes Utilimaster, Royal Truck Body, Strobes-R-Us, Spartan Chassis, Spartan Authorized Parts, Spartan Authorized Service Centers, and Spartan Factory Service Centers. Spartan Motors and its go-to-market brands are well known in their respective industries for quality, durability, aftermarket product support, and first-to-market innovation. The Company employs approximately 2,500 associates, and operates facilities in Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Florida, Missouri, California, Arizona, Texas, and Saltillo, Mexico. Spartan reported sales of $816 million in 2018. Learn more about Spartan Motors at www.spartanmotors.com.

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SOURCE Spartan Motors, Inc.