Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAR) announced a strategic alliance with Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. to assemble Isuzu's gasoline-powered N-series chassis. In addition, Spartan's subsidiary, Utilimaster Corporation, and Isuzu have agreed to develop a next-generation commercial van, utilizing an Isuzu fuel-efficient diesel powertrain.
"We expect these agreements to be the beginning of a long-term relationship with one of the leading diesel engine and commercial vehicle manufacturers in the world," said John Sztykiel, President and CEO of Spartan Motors. "This relationship with a market leader like Isuzu enhances Spartan's ability to leverage our capacity and engineering and manufacturing expertise, which is critical as the landscape for the commercial vehicle market is being transformed by economic, environmental and regulatory forces even as the market is poised for growth."
Under the terms of the agreement, Spartan will assemble the newly reintroduced Isuzu N-Series chassis, a low-cab-forward chassis powered by a General Motors 6.0-liter V-8 gasoline engine. The chassis will be built to Isuzu's specifications using a General Motors powertrain at a Spartan assembly facility. Initial production of the N-series chassis is set to begin in the second quarter of 2011.
Shaun Skinner, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, commented: "The reintroduction of this product rounds out the traditional Isuzu product line and positions our dealer base to once again offer the broadest line of low-cab-forward solutions."
In addition to the N-Series chassis assembly agreement, Spartan subsidiary Utilimaster Corporation, and Isuzu have entered into an exclusive agreement under which Utilimaster will use Isuzu's diesel chassis to power a next-generation commercial van currently under development by the two companies.
"We have worked extensively with key customers to develop this product from the ground up, and the response to the vehicle thus far has been very encouraging," said John Marshall, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Utilimaster. "This next-generation vehicle offers best-in-class fuel economy and lower total cost of ownership, while offering important additional features to support commercial van customers, including a distinctly automotive aesthetic, which we believe will set it apart in the market."
Key specifications for the next-generation van include:
- The van will be rated up to 12,000 lbs GVWR and will be produced in a number of models with cargo capacities up to 600 cubic feet.
- The new line will be powered by an Isuzu 4-cylinder, 3-liter engine that delivers 150 horsepower.
- The engine is 2010 EPA and CARB OBD compliant, offering best-in-class fuel economy.
- The model 4J truck diesel engine and 6-speed automatic transmission used in the new line offers a B10 engine life of 310,000 miles, which means that 90 percent of these engines and transmissions will go more than 310,000 miles before requiring major service.
- Models will feature lower floors to allow for easier entrance and egress and a taller interior height in the cargo area to allow for walk-through capability in the cab and cargo areas.
Spartan and Isuzu said their combined effort is the first in the industry to offer an integrated design for heavy-duty commercial vans specifically designed to reduce the cost of ownership while setting a new standard for fuel economy and reduction of carbon emissions. Spartan and Utilimaster anticipate using the new product line to expand their breadth of its addressable market. Initial prototypes of the new commercial van are scheduled to be introduced in the third quarter or early in the fourth quarter of 2010, with full production scheduled to commence in the second half of 2011.