Spartan Chassis and Force Protection Announce Partnership

(Charlotte, Mich. and Ladson, SC., April 1, 2009) -- Spartan Chassis, a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAR), and Force Protection, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRPT), today jointly announced that they have entered into a Contractor Team Arrangement and will combine service capabilities and infrastructure to more effectively support future customer needs related to spare parts and sustainment for Force Protection's fleet of Cougar vehicles. The two companies noted that each would commit key staff, facilities and information systems to speed response capability on critical programs.

John Sztykiel, president and CEO of Spartan Motors, said: "We are proud of our partnership with Force Protection in rapidly delivering key components for over 3,000 Cougar vehicles under the MRAP program. This new work structure will strengthen that relationship, create enhanced capabilities for the customer, and ensure that the service, upgrades, and spares parts this fleet of vehicles will need throughout its lifecycle are delivered and executed with excellence."

Michael Moody, Chairman and CEO of Force Protection, Inc., commented: "It is a strategic priority for our Company to build the relationships and partnerships that provide the highest possible level of customer experience. Over the course of the MRAP program, Spartan has been a key partner, met difficult production requirements in short spaces of time, and executed with excellence. We are very pleased to formalize our relationship, further enhance our combined capabilities and position ourselves to capture the increasing need for service and support work."

Source : Force Protection, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRPT)