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NEWS RELEASE

U.S. Military Recognizes Spartan Chassis’ Workforce
During Ceremony
Today at Company Headquarters

CHARLOTTE, Michigan, Oct. 14, 2008 – Senior officials from the U.S. military’s Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Joint Program Office are hosting a special ceremony today to recognize Spartan Chassis employees for their critical role in the rapid production and deployment of the military’s highest priority, MRAP vehicles.

Spartan Chassis, a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAR), will host the military officials and other dignitaries at the company’s headquarters in Charlotte, Mich., flanked by massive MRAP vehicles. Military officials will present a plaque to more than 500 Spartan workers for their vital role in engineering, manufacturing and servicing these lifesaving MRAP vehicles.

“We are extremely proud of our employees and their dedication and determination in building these life-saving machines and serving our men and women on the front lines,” said John Sztykiel, president and CEO of Spartan Motors. “Our team was able to move from concept to production in less than 6 months – an impressive feat by any measure – and rapidly helped solve the single biggest threat facing our troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“In addition to being among the first manufacturers of these vehicles, Spartan has also helped produce more mine-resistant vehicles – including MRAPs, Iraqi Light Armored Vehicles (ILAVs) and other variants – than any other U.S. manufacturer. We believe mine-resistant vehicles and similar variants will continue to play a critical role in the ever-changing Global War on Terror.”

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

MRAPs are a family of heavily armored 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.

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

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:

Jeff Lambert, Ryan McGrath
Lambert, Edwards & Associates, Inc.
(616) 233-0500