Employee Stock Option [Member]
Document And Entity Information
Note To Financial Statement Details Textual
Restricted Stock [Member]
statementsignificantaccountingpoliciespolicies
statementnote2inventoriestables
Antidilutive Securities [Axis]
statementnote3restructuringchargestables
statementnote4goodwillandintangibleassetstables
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities
Other current liabilities and accrued expenses
statementnote5propertyplantandequipmenttables
Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain]
statementnote6leasestables
statementnote7taxesonincometables
statementnote8transactionswithmajorcustomerstables
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Taxes on income
statementnote9commitmentsandcontingentliabilitiestables
statementnote11debttables
us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense
statementnote12stockbasedcompensationtables
statementnote13shareholdersequitytables
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInCustomerDeposits
Deposits from customers
statementnote14earningspersharetables
statementnote15businesssegmentstables
statementscheduleiivaluationandqualifyingaccountstables
statementnote16quarterlyfinancialdataunauditedtables
statementnote3summaryofcompensationrelatedchargesdetails
statementnote2inventoriesdetails
us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Spartan Motors, Inc.
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Spartan Motors, Inc.
statementnote4goodwillbyreportablesegmentdetails
statementnote3restructuringchargesincludedinconsolidatedstatementsofoperationsdetails
statementnote4otherintangibleassetsdetails
statementnote4impairmentchargesgeneralandadministrativedetails
statementnote5propertyplantandequipmentdetails
statementnote4estimatedremainingamortizationassociatedwithfinitelivedintangibleassetsdetails
statementnote6futureminimumoperatingleasecommitmentsundernoncancelableleasesdetails
statementnote5impairmentoflonglivedtangibleassetsdetails
statementnote7incometaxfromcontinuingoperationsdetails
statementnote6futureminimumcapitalleasecommitmentsundernoncancelableleasesdetails
statementnote7deferredincometaxesdetails
statementnote7incometaxreconciliationdetails
statementnote9chargesfornationalhighwaytrafficsafetyadministrationpolicydetails
statementnote9changeswarrantyliabilitydetails
statementnote7reconciliationofthechangeintheunrecognizedtaxbenefitsdetails
statementnote8transactionswithmajorcustomersdetails
statementnote12optionactivitydetails
statementnote12sarsactivitydetails
statementnote9changesinpresentvalueofcontingentliabilitydetails
All Countries [Domain]
statementnote11scheduleoflongtermdebtdetails
statementnote14reconciliationofbasicweightedaveragecommonsharesoutstandingtodilutedweightedaveragesharesoutstandingdetails
statementnote15segmentreportinginformationdetails
statementnote12restrictedstockactivitydetails
statementnote13summaryofstockrepurchasedandretireddetails
Notes To Financial Statements
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
Amortization of Intangible Assets
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]
statementnote16summarizedquarterlyfinancialdatadetails
statementscheduleiivaluationandqualifyingaccountsdetails
spar_DeferredtaxAssetsLiabilities
Net deferred income tax assets
DeferredTax Assets Liabilities
Amount, net of deferred tax liability, of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible differences and carryforwards.
Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Table Text Block]
Tabular disclosure of a schedule of allowance and reserve accounts where the valuation and qualifying accounts are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability established to represent expected future costs.
Goodwill impairment
Goodwill, Impairment Loss
us-gaap_SalariesAndWages
Compensation
Cash flows from investing activities:
us-gaap_InventoryRecallExpense
Inventory Recall Expense
us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
Total adjustments
us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
Net cash provided by operating activities
us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt
Interest expense
us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements
Effect of dilutive stock options (in shares)
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Research and development
us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)
us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOther
Other
Accruals for warranty
us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet
Total deferred income tax assets
Deferred Tax Assets, Net
us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilities
Total deferred income tax liabilities
us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsGross
Total deferred tax assets
us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsGrossCurrent
Deferred income tax assets, current
General and administrative
Deferred income tax assets
us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance
Valuation allowance
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Selling, general and administrative
us-gaap_TableTextBlock
Notes Tables
Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]
spar_ExpenseFromChangesInEstimatedFairValueOfContingentPayments
Expense from changes in estimated fair value of contingent payments (1)
The expense recognized during the period resulting from changes in the estimated fair value of contingent payments.
spar_PaymentsMadeForContingentLiability
Payments made
The cash outflow associated with payments of contingent liabilities.
spar_ExpenseFromDiscountAmortization
Expense from discount amortization
The expense recognized during the period from discount amortization.
us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased
us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased
us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccrualsWarrantyReserves
Warranty reserve
us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsInventory
Inventory costs and reserves
us-gaap_Revenues
Revenues
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)
Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]
us-gaap_SharesIssued
Balance (in shares)
Balance (in shares)
Operating expenses:
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwards
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards
Accrued warranty
us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwards
State net operating loss and federal and state credit carry-forwards, net of federal income tax benefit
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Entity's employee stock purchase pan.
us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsStateAndLocal
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, State and Local
Shipping and Handling Cost, Policy [Policy Text Block]
us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefits
Compensation related accruals
Deferred income tax assets:
us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
Capital expenditures
us-gaap_Assets
TOTAL ASSETS
Segment assets
us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefitsShareBasedCompensationCost
Stock based compensation
Current liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment, net
Total property, plant and equipment, net
Goodwill
Goodwill, beginning of year
Goodwill, end of year
Goodwill, net
us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesGoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssets
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Intangible Assets
Trade name
us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments
Number of Reportable Segments
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross
Property, plant and equipment, gross
us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment
Less accumulated depreciation
Sales
Sales revenue, net
us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressGross
Construction in Progress, Gross
us-gaap_CapitalLeasedAssetsGross
Capital Leased Assets, Gross
us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense
Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses
us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesGrossNoncurrent
Deferred income tax liabilities, non-current
us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions
Deductions
us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToOtherAccounts
Additions Charged to Other Accounts
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]
us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance
Balance at Beginning of Period
Balance at End of Period
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Campaigns and Recalls [Member]
Project [Axis]
spar_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedStandardProductWarrantyLiability
Cash paid for warranty repairs
The increase (decrease) during the reporting period of the obligations incurred through that date and payable for the standard product warranty liability for the period. Does not include increases or decreases in an extended warranty liability.
Inventory Valuation Reserve [Member]
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
Total
Net carrying amount, finite-lived
Project [Domain]
Intangible assets, net
Net carrying amount, intangible assets
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
Gross carrying amount, finite-lived
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
Accumulated amortization, finite-lived
Warranty Reserves [Member]
spar_EqualInstallmentPeriodForPenaltyPertainingToEarlyWarningAndDefectReporting
Equal Installment Period for Penalty Pertaining to Early Warning and Defect Reporting
The number of years equal installments will be paid pertaining to the penalty for early warning and defect reporting.
spar_ExcessTaxBenefitExpenseFromSharebasedCompensationOperatingActivities
Tax benefit related to stock incentive plan transactions
Amount of cash outflow (inflow) for realized tax benefit (expense) related to deductible compensation cost reported on the entity's tax return for equity instruments in excess of the compensation cost for those instruments recognized for financial reporting purposes.
Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block]
us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPrepaidExpenses
Prepaid insurance
us-gaap_DisclosureTextBlockAbstract
Notes to Financial Statements
us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipment
Depreciation
Net cash provided from (used in) the exercise, vesting or cancellation of stock incentive awards
The total cash inflow (outflow) associated with the amount received from holders to acquire the entity's shares under incentive and share awards, including stock option exercises. This item inherently excludes any excess tax benefit, which the entity may have realized and reported separately.
Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Domain]
us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
Gross carrying amount, indefinite-lived
Valuation Allowances and Reserves Type [Axis]
Deferred income taxes
Total deferred
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used by Type [Axis]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used, Asset Name [Domain]
State
Relocation Retention Costs [Member]
Relocation/retention costs related to the costs of products sold.
us-gaap_DeferredStateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
State
Enterprise Resource Planning System [Member]
spar_IncreaseDecreaseInIncomeTaxesResultingFromAbstract
Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:
Increase (decrease) in income taxes.
Other Specialty Vehicles [Member]
Information pertaining to the other specialty vehicles segment.
spar_IncomeTaxReconciliationDeferredIncomeTaxAdjustmentsAmount
Deferred income tax adjustment
Amount of adjustment to deferred income tax asset balance.
Motorhome Chassis [Member]
Information pertaining to the motorhome chassis segment.
spar_IncomeTaxReconciliationDeferredIncomeTaxAdjustmentsPercent
Deferred income tax adjustment
Percent of adjustment to deferred income tax asset balance.
us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestExpense
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]
Aftermarket Parts and Assemblies [Member]
Aftermarket parts and assemblies products and services.
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod
Cancelled (in shares)
Details of Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held and Used by Asset [Table Text Block]
spar_NumberOfCustomersClassifiedAsMajorCustomers
Number of Customers Classified as Major Customers
The number of customers classified as major customers.
Customer A [Member]
us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
Payments made in period
us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet
Income Taxes Paid, Net
Deferred (credit):
us-gaap_CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Total current
Emergency Response Vehicles [Member]
Information pertaining to the emergency response vehicles segment.
Current (credit):
Delivery And Service Vehicles [Member]
Delivery and service vehicles segment.
Specialty Chassis and Vehicles [Member]
Information pertaining to the specialty chassis and vehicles segment.
Related Party Transactions Policy [Policy Text Block]
Disclosure of accounting policy for transactions with related parties including affiliates; other entities for which investments are accounted for by the equity method by the entity; trusts for benefit of employees; and principal owners, management, and members of immediate families. It also may include other parties with which the entity may control or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests.
Utilmaster Vehicles [Member]
Information pertaining to the utilmaster vehicles segment.
spar_IncreaseInWaccBasisPoints
Increase in WACC Basis Points
Increase in WACC, basis points.
us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment
Accrual for severance
us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
spar_FairValueExceedsCarryingValuePercentage
Fair Value Exceeds Carrying Value, Percentage
Fair value exceeds carrying value, percentage.
Accrual Of Severance [Member]
The accrual of severance for the cost of products sold.
Acquired Product Development Project [Member]
Schedule of Common Stock Repurchased and Retired [Table Text Block]
Tabular disclosure for all common stock repurchased and retired during the period.
us-gaap_DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Federal
spar_PercentageOfServiceRevenue
Percentage of Service Revenue
Represents the percentage of service revenue to total revenue.
spar_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredAveragePurchasePrice
Average purchase price (in dollars per share)
Total cost of shares repurchased divided by the total number of shares repurchased.
Federal
Foreign Countries [Member]
Represents all other countries.
Deposits from Customers [Policy Text Block]
The entire disclosure of the reporting entity's accounting policy regarding deposits from customers.
spar_PercentOfRevenueAttributedToForeignCountries
Percent of Revenue Attributed to Foreign Countries
Percent of revenue attributed to foreign countries.
Retained earnings
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Policy [Policy Text Block]
The entire disclosure for supplemental disclosures of cash flow information policy.
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears
2019
Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block]
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears
2020
Decrease (increase) in operating assets:
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter
Thereafter
us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Employee Stock Purchase Plan
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue
Total
us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent
2016
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears
2017
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears
2018
us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months
us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation
Issuance of common stock and the tax impact of stock incentive plan transactions (in shares)
us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three
us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two
us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five
us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four
us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation
Issuance of common stock and the tax impact of stock incentive plan transactions
us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures
Issuance of restricted stock, net of cancellation (in shares)
us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
Exercised (in shares)
Employee Severance [Member]
us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures
Issuance of restricted stock, net of cancellation
Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]
Type of Restructuring [Domain]
Restructuring Type [Axis]
Machinery & Equipment [Member]
Represents the machinery and equipment assets used in business operations.
spar_ExercisePriceToFairMarketValueOfStockPercentage
Exercise Price To Fair Market Value Of Stock Percentage
Exercise price to fair market value of stock, percentage.
spar_ShareBasedCompensationExercisabilityPeriod
Share Based Compensation Exercisability Period
Share-based compensation, exercisability period.
spar_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSarsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award SARs Exercises In Period Total Intrinsic Value
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, SARs, exercises in period, total intrinsic value.
spar_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanDiscount
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Discount
Represents information about employee stock purchase discount.
Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]
us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears
2020
us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears
2019
us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue
Total lease obligations, including imputed interest
us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter
Thereafter
us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent
2016
Customer Relationship [Member]
Represents the customer relationships established through general and administrative daily tansactions.
Office & Computer Equipment [Member]
Represents the office and computer equipment used for general and administrative purposes.
Non-Patented Technology [Member]
Represents the non-patented T=technology assets used for general and administrative purposes.
us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears
2018
Schedules of Concentration of Risk, by Risk Factor [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares
Shares purchased (in shares)
Purchase and retirement of common stock (in shares)
us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears
2017
Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block]
us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue
Purchase value
Purchase and retirement of common stock
Classic Fire Trade Name [Member]
Represents the classic fire trade name asset used for general and administrative purposes.
Well Fargo Bank and JPMorgan Chase Bank [Member]
Credit facility for line of credit.
us-gaap_AdjustmentToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensationNet
Adjustment to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation, Net
Federal Funds Effective Rate [Member]
Variable rate for credit line facility.
spar_PotentialCreditFacilityBorrowingCapacity
Potential Credit Facility Borrowing Capacity
The potential borrowing capacity under a credit facility.
spar_DebtInstrumentReferenceRateTerm
Debt Instrument Reference Rate Term
The term of the reference rate related to a debt instrument.
us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock
Dividends declared ($0.10 per share)
One Month Adjusted LIBOR [Member]
Variable rate for one month adjusted LIBOR.
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories
Inventories
us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsInterestIncludedInPayments
Less imputed interest charges
spar_DeferedTaxAssetsWorkersCompensation
Workers compensation accrual
Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to worker compensating accrual.
us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue
Stock based compensation expense related to restricted stock
spar_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncludingIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Including Income Tax Penalties And Interest Accrued
Unrecognized tax benefits, including income tax penalties and interest accrued.
us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsPresentValueOfNetMinimumPayments
Total outstanding capital lease obligations
Consolidated balance sheet presentation:
Presentation of the Balance Sheet consolidated amounts.
spar_DefinedContributionPlanCompanyMatchingContributionsVestingPeriod
Defined Contribution Plan Company Matching Contributions Vesting Period
Period which matching contributions are vested. In 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.
Prudential Investment Management [Member]
Entity's line of credit source.
Annual Bonus [Member]
Annual bonus.
Quarterly Bonus [Member]
Quarterly bonus.
Economic Value Add Plan [Member]
Entity's economic value plan.
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 40,000 shares authorized; 34,271 and 34,094 outstanding
us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet
Accounts receivable
us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsGrossExcludingGoodwill
Gross carrying amount, intangible assets
us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInIncomeTaxesReceivable
Income taxes receivable
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseAfterYearFive
Thereafter
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFive
2020
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable
Accounts receivable
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]
Preferred stock, no par value: 2,000 shares authorized (none issued)
Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]
us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount
Litigation Settlement, Amount
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
Other assets
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
Restructuring charges
Restructuring charges, cost of products sold
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_InventoryWriteDown
Inventory Write-down
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Axis]
us-gaap_GrossProfit
Gross profit
Gross profit
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Trade Names [Member]
Unpatented Technology [Member]
Consolidation, Subsidiaries or Other Investments, Consolidated Entities, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]
us-gaap_PriorPeriodReclassificationAdjustment
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Order or Production Backlog [Member]
spar_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilitiesCustomerRebates
Accrued customer rebates
The net change during the reporting period in accrued customer rebates.
us-gaap_ProductWarrantyAccrualPreexistingIncreaseDecrease
Changes in liability for pre-existing warranties during the period, including expirations
GM [Member]
Chassis bailment inventory agreement with General Motors Company (GM).
us-gaap_ProductWarrantyAccrualWarrantiesIssued
Warranties issued during the period
Cost Of Goods Sold [Member]
Primary financial statement caption encompassing cost of goods sold.
us-gaap_ProductWarrantyAccrualPayments
Cash settlements made during the period
Customer Relationships [Member]
us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense
Total other income (expense)
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]
spar_PaymentsForPreviousAcquisitionFinancingActivities
Payment of contingent consideration on acquisitions
Cash outflow representing an adjustment to the purchase price of a previous acquisition classified as financing activities.
spar_PaymentsForPreviousAcquisitionOperatingActivities
Contingent consideration on acquisitions
Cash outflow representing an adjustment to the purchase price of a previous acquisition classified as operating activities.
Performance Based Payout For Meeting Targeted Sales Levels For The Reach Commercial Van [Member]
The contingent payout owed if the company meets targeted sales levels for the Reach commercial van.
Utilimaster [Member]
Business acquisition of Utilimaster in November of 2009.
Interest and other income
Performance Based Payout For Sales Exceeding Targeted Levels [Member]
The contingent payout owed if the company's sales exceed the targeted levels as agreed upon in the acquisition agreement.
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions by Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseNextTwelveMonths
2016
us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Operating loss
Operating income (loss)
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearTwo
2017
Contingent Consideration by Type [Axis]
Accrued customer rebates
Aggregate carrying amount of rebates due to customers.
Other income (expense):
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearThree
2018
Contingent Consideration Type [Domain]
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFour
2019
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable
Accounts payable
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain]
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedSalaries
Accrued compensation and related taxes
us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition
us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized
Cost of Sales [Member]
Amendment Flag
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]
Income Statement Location [Domain]
us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock
Purchase and retirement of common stock
Plan Name [Domain]
Income Statement Location [Axis]
Plan Name [Axis]
Minimum [Member]
us-gaap_ProductWarrantyAccrual
Balance of accrued warranty
Balance of accrued warranty
Maximum [Member]
Range [Axis]
Range [Domain]
Customer [Axis]
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period
Document Fiscal Year Focus
Customer [Domain]
Document Fiscal Period Focus
Document Period End Date
Current Fiscal Year End Date
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized
Products and Services [Domain]
Products and Services [Axis]
Award Type [Axis]
us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
Total debt
Entity Current Reporting Status
Cost of goods sold
Entity Voluntary Filers
Entity Public Float
us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligations
Capital lease obligations (See Note 6 – Leases)
Entity Filer Category
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Document Type
Equity Award [Domain]
Cost of products sold
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNonOptionEquityInstrumentsOutstandingNumber
SARs outstanding and exercisable (in shares)
SARs outstanding and exercisable (in shares)
Other Segments [Member]
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
Cancelled (in dollars per share)
Segments [Domain]
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $130 and $144
Accounts receivable, allowance
Segments [Axis]
us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt
Note payable to Prudential Investment Management, Inc. Principal due December 1, 2016 with quarterly interest only payments of $68 at 5.46%. Unsecured debt. (1)
Statement [Table]
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
Options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2014 (in dollars per share)
us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Long-term Line of Credit
Letter of Credit [Member]
Current assets:
us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value
Income Statement [Abstract]
us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss
Accumulated impairment
us-gaap_GoodwillGross
Acquired goodwill
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant
us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
Net cash used in financing activities
Geographical [Axis]
Credit Facility [Domain]
Credit Facility [Axis]
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
us-gaap_PaymentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation
Cash paid related to tax impact of stock incentive plan transactions
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
Options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2014 (in shares)
Options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2015 (in shares)
us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
Total Spartan Motors, Inc. shareholders’ equity
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNonOptionEquityInstrumentsForfeitures
Cancelled (in shares)
us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends
Payment of dividends
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]
Deferred Bonus and Profit Sharing Arrangements, Individual Contracts, Type of Deferred Compensation [Axis]
Deferred Bonus and Profit Sharing Arrangement, Individual Contract, Type of Deferred Compensation [Domain]
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)
Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block]
Inventories
Total Inventory
Other current assets
us-gaap_OtherInventoryDemo
Other Inventory, Demo, Gross
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
Forfeited (in shares)
Deposits from customers
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
Balance, non-vested shares outstanding (in shares)
Balance, non-vested shares outstanding (in shares)
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
Granted (in shares)
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
Vested (in shares)
Non-controlling interest
us-gaap_InventoryFinishedGoods
Finished goods
us-gaap_InventoryWorkInProcess
Work in process
us-gaap_InventoryRawMaterialsAndSupplies
Raw materials and purchased components
us-gaap_InventoryValuationReserves
Reserve for slow-moving inventory
us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
Balance
Balance
Total shareholders' equity
us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared
Dividends declared (in dollars per share)
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerms
SARs outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2015
Additional paid in capital
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Vested (in dollars per share)
Shareholders' equity:
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
SARs outstanding and exercisable (in dollars per share)
SARs outstanding and exercisable (in dollars per share)
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Cancelled (in dollars per share)
Entity Registrant Name
Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]
Entity Central Index Key
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]
Other assets
Schedule of Loss Contingencies by Contingency [Table Text Block]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)
Trading Symbol
Scenario [Axis]
Scenario, Unspecified [Domain]
us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued
us-gaap_AssetsCurrent
Total current assets
Supplier [Axis]
Share-based Goods and Nonemployee Services Transaction, Supplier [Domain]
us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized
Interest Costs Capitalized
Loss before taxes
Income taxes receivable
Expense from changes in fair value of contingent consideration
us-gaap_GainLossOnSalesOfAssetsAndAssetImpairmentCharges
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets
Reclassified from Research and Development Expense to Cost of Products Sold [Member]
Represents the reclassification of prior period expenses from research and development expense to cost of products sold.
spar_TotalRestructuringCharges
Total restructuring
Total restructuring charges included in Statements of Operations.
us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent
Total current liabilities
Manufacturing Process Reengineering [Member]
Represents manufacturing process re-engineering.
Production Relocation Costs [Member]
Represents information pertaining to production relocation costs.
Inventory Impairment [Member]
Represents information pertaining to inventory impairment.
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense
Less: net earnings (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest
Antidilutive stock awards:
Anti-dilutive stock awards [abstract]
us-gaap_PaymentsForPreviousAcquisition
Payments for Previous Acquisition
us-gaap_Depreciation
Depreciation
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis]
Proceeds from notes receivable
Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain]
Business Acquisition [Axis]
Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain]
us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Discretionary Contribution Amount
Income Tax Authority [Axis]
Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Income Tax Authority [Domain]
Land and Land Improvements [Member]
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]
Construction in Progress [Member]
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsRangeOfOutcomesValueHigh
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases [Table Text Block]
Stock based compensation related to stock awards
Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]
Other current liabilities and accrued expenses
us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life
Net earnings (loss)
Net earnings (loss)
Net earnings (loss)
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent
Cash flows from operating activities:
us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions
Increase (decrease) related to prior year tax positions
us-gaap_CapitalLeasesLesseeBalanceSheetAssetsByMajorClassAccumulatedDeprecation
Capital Leases, Lessee Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Accumulated Depreciation
Cash flows from financing activities:
us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations
Expiration of statute
us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions
Increase related to current year tax positions
Current portion of long-term debt
us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities
Settlement
us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent
Less current portion of long-term debt
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]
us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits
Balance at January 1,
Balance at December 31,
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
Diluted net earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)
Diluted net earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)
us-gaap_InterestPaid
Interest Paid
us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount
Anti-dilutive stock awards (in shares)
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)
Accrued compensation and related taxes
Taxes
TOTAL TAXES ON INCOME
TOTAL
Accounts payable
us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
Net cash used in investing activities
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)
us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate
Standard Product Warranty, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Basic net earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)
Basic net earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]
us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxContingencies
Unrecognized tax benefit adjustment, settlement and expiration of statute
Class of Stock [Axis]
Borrowings under credit facilities
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit
Payments on credit facilities
Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations
TOTAL
us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance
Valuation allowance adjustment
us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxCreditsResearch
Federal research and development tax credit
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]
Variable Rate [Domain]
Variable Rate [Axis]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability
Contingent liability fair value at January 1
Contingent liability fair value at December 31
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability
us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Balance, beginning of period
Balance, end of period
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Appreciation Rights Award Activity [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_OperatingExpenses
Total operating expenses
us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationDeductionsOther
Other
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]
Statement [Line Items]
us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseImpairmentLosses
Non-deductible goodwill impairment
us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseOther
Other nondeductible expenses
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]
Vehicles [Member]
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxContingencies
Unrecognized tax benefit adjustment, settlement and expiration of statute
us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense
Operating Leases, Rent Expense
Schedule of Impaired Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]
Deferred income tax liabilities
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]
Interim Period, Costs Not Allocable [Domain]
us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate
Federal income taxes at the statutory rate
us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes
State tax expense, net of federal income tax benefit
us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt
Payments on long-term debt
us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance
Valuation allowance adjustment
us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherAdjustments
Other
Nature of Expense [Axis]
Other non-current liabilities
us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateAtPeriodEnd
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End
spar_ProductWarrantyAccrualNewClaimsIncreaseDecrease
Product Warranty Accrual, New Claims, Increase (Decrease)
Represents the aggregate increase in the liability for accruals related to standard and extended product warranties' newly received claims during the reporting period.
us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCapacityAvailableForTradePurchases
Line of Credit Facility, Capacity Available for Trade Purchases
us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity
spar_LimitedWarrantyCoverageAssemblyAndConstructionDefectsLowEnd
Limited Warranty Coverage, Assembly and Construction Defects, Low End
The lower end of limited warranty coverage for products containing defects due to assembly and construction.
us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity
Equity Component [Domain]
us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxCreditsResearch
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credit, Research, Amount
Federal research and development tax credit
Equity Components [Axis]
Long-term debt, less current portion
Total long-term debt
us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes
State tax expense, net of federal income tax benefit
spar_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseNhtsaPenaltyPercentage
Non-deductible NHTSA penalty
Percentage of the difference between reported income tax expense (benefit) and expected income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to nondeductible National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) penalties.
us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate
Federal income taxes at the statutory rate
Common Stock [Member]
Proceeds from long-term debt
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
General and Administrative
spar_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseNHTSAPenaltyAmount
Non-deductible NHTSA penalty
Amount of the difference between reported income tax expense (benefit) and expected income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to nondeductible National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) penalties.
us-gaap_PolicyTextBlockAbstract
Accounting Policies
us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpense
Other nondeductible expenses
Retained Earnings [Member]
us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Restructuring charges, general and admininstrative
Impairment of assets
Asset Impairment
us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseImpairmentLosses
Non-deductible goodwill impairment
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]