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NEWS RELEASE

U.S. Military and BAE Systems Recognize Spartan Chassis’ Workforce at
Special Ceremony

CHARLOTTE, Mich., Nov. 19, 2008 – Senior U.S. military officials and executives from major defense contractor BAE Systems are recognizing Spartan Chassis employees today for their critical role in the rapid production and deployment of BAE Systems’ RG33 MRAP vehicles, a key military program credited with saving hundreds of lives from the dangers of roadside bombs.

Spartan Chassis, a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAR), is hosting a special ceremony to mark the employees’ contributions at the company’s headquarters in Charlotte, Mich. Officials from the U.S. Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Joint Program Office will present a plaque to more than 300 Spartan workers for their vital role in engineering, manufacturing and servicing the MRAP vehicles.

“Spartan Chassis has helped produce more mine-resistant vehicles than any other U.S. manufacturing facility, and we are proud of the vital role our team has played in getting these lifesaving vehicles to our soldiers and Marines within an extraordinarily short timeframe,” said John Sztykiel, president and CEO of Spartan Motors. “A significant factor in our success has been the hard work, dedication and specialized skills of our workforce.”

“The RG33 represents an unprecedented story of success that reflects industry’s unsurpassed rapid response to the Department of Defense’s immediate requirement to defeat an ever evolving threat,” said Matt Riddle, Vice President of Wheeled Combat Vehicles at BAE Systems. “From design to fielding in less than six months, the RG33 has proven itself worthy in combat and has well earned the respect and accolades of its U.S. military crewman.”

MRAPs are a family of military vehicles designed to survive IED (improvised explosive device) attacks, the cause of 60 percent of all U.S. casualties in Iraq. MRAP vehicles feature innovative, V-shaped hulls that deflect explosive forces originating below the vehicle – a notorious point of weakness for non-MRAP military vehicles, such as Humvees. According to government sources, MRAPs have the highest survivability of all vehicles deployed in combat, including tanks.

Since 2005, Spartan Chassis has served as a military subcontractor of choice, providing specialty chassis, vehicle interiors, comprehensive automotive integration, assembly, parts and service for the nation’s primary MRAP manufacturers, including BAE Systems, Force Protection and General Dynamics Land Systems. Spartan currently supplies more than 20 different threat-specific, mine-protected vehicle variants, including specialized configurations of MRAP, such as those customized for ambulance duties, ordnance removal or transporting Special Operations troops.

Spartan has invested approximately $16 million in facilities and equipment for its military production work since 2005. Spartan has also shared its military-related work with 100 Michigan-based companies, spending $148.4 million with those companies in 2007 alone and helping to employ 6,400 Michigan workers.

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 (www.spartanmotors.com), which also manufactures emergency rescue vehicles under the brand names of Crimson Fire, Crimson Fire Aerials and Road Rescue, reported sales of $681.9 million in 2007 and is focused on becoming the premier manufacturer of specialty vehicles and chassis in North America.

This release contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements concerning our business, future plans and objectives and the performance of our products. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that ultimately may not prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Technical complications may arise that could prevent the prompt implementation of the plans outlined above. The company cautions that these forward-looking statements are further qualified by other factors including, but not limited to, those set forth in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filing and other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (available at { HYPERLINK "http://www.sec.gov" }). Government contracts and subcontracts typically involve long payment and purchase cycles, competitive bidding, qualification requirements, delays or changes in funding, extensive specification development and changes, price negotiations and milestone requirements. An announced award of a governmental contract is not equivalent to a finalized executed contract and does not assure that orders will be issued and filled. Government agencies also often retain some portion of fees payable upon completion of a project and collection of contract fees may be delayed for long periods, which can negatively impact both prime contractors and subcontractors. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

CONTACT:

Karen Hildebrant
Spartan Chassis, Inc.
(517) 543-6400 x 3111