Spartan & Navistar Sign Multi-Year Engine Deal

[DriVer]

2.22.2011 Spartan Chassis Expands Diesel Engine Portfolio and Offers Navistar MaxxForce 13 on 2011 Gladiator

Las Vegas, Nevada, February 22, 2011 – Spartan Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAR), today announced that a multi-year supply agreement has been signed with the Navistar Engine Group allowing for the expansion of clean diesel engine offerings on its signature emergency response cab and chassis, the Gladiator. The announcement was made at the Spartan Chassis 2011 Partnership Meeting which is well attended by Emergency Response Dealers and Fire Apparatus Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

Spartan is offering the EPA 2010-compliant MaxxForce® 13 Big Bore engine on its 2011 Gladiator models. The engine features Navistar’s advanced in-cylinder emissions technology that minimizes the requirement for after treatment components, fluids and weight in order to maintain critical space for body applications.

“This agreement couples the advanced technology of Spartan and the Navistar Engine Group for the benefit of our emergency response customers,” said John Sztykiel, president and CEO of Spartan Motors. “The MaxxForce 13 delivers enhanced performance, great fuel economy and low cost of ownership to meet the industry’s evolving needs. It also adds to our portfolio of compelling products and is another proof point supporting our ability to provide the broadest line of engines for the markets in which we compete.”

Navistar’s 2010 EPA-compliant MaxxForce 13 engine delivers a horsepower rating of 475, features an in-cylinder emissions solution that utilizes four key technologies including advanced high-pressure fuel injection, advanced air management, an optimized combustion strategy and proprietary electronic calibrations. MaxxForce engines are backed though a support network of 587 dealers and 7,000 trained mechanics across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

[Brigadoon]

I don't see a mention of it making to the rv chassis side, so I guess it will be for emergency vehicles only.

[GaryKD]

At this time, for me, it would be a tough call if I had a choice of a Navistar or DEF compliant engine. Both technologies seem to have their advantages.