Note 7 - Segment Reporting Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Emergency Response Vehicles [Member] | Emergency Response Vehicles [Member]
Revenue	$ 61,249	$ 42,118	$ 104,455	$ 78,060
Emergency Response Vehicles [Member] | Delivery And Service Vehicles [Member]
Revenue
Emergency Response Vehicles [Member] | Specialty Chassis and Vehicles [Member]
Revenue
Emergency Response Vehicles [Member] | Other Segments [Member]
Revenue
Emergency Response Vehicles [Member]
Revenue	$ 61,249	$ 42,118	$ 104,455	$ 78,060
Utilimaster [Member] | Emergency Response Vehicles [Member]
Revenue
Utilimaster [Member] | Delivery And Service Vehicles [Member]
Revenue	$ 45,038	$ 44,639	$ 93,072	$ 103,610
Utilimaster [Member] | Specialty Chassis and Vehicles [Member]
Revenue
Utilimaster [Member] | Other Segments [Member]
Revenue
Utilimaster [Member]
Revenue	$ 45,038	$ 44,639	$ 93,072	$ 103,610
Motorhome Chassis [Member] | Emergency Response Vehicles [Member]
Revenue
Motorhome Chassis [Member] | Delivery And Service Vehicles [Member]
Revenue
Motorhome Chassis [Member] | Specialty Chassis and Vehicles [Member]
Revenue	$ 19,714	$ 17,799	$ 43,063	$ 39,584
Motorhome Chassis [Member] | Other Segments [Member]
Revenue
Motorhome Chassis [Member]
Revenue	$ 19,714	$ 17,799	$ 43,063	$ 39,584
Other Specialty Vehicles [Member] | Emergency Response Vehicles [Member]
Revenue
Other Specialty Vehicles [Member] | Delivery And Service Vehicles [Member]
Revenue
Other Specialty Vehicles [Member] | Specialty Chassis and Vehicles [Member]
Revenue	$ 5,904	$ 2,176	$ 8,441	$ 4,196
Other Specialty Vehicles [Member] | Other Segments [Member]
Revenue
Other Specialty Vehicles [Member]
Revenue	$ 5,904	$ 2,176	$ 8,441	$ 4,196
Aftermarket Parts and Assemblies [Member] | Emergency Response Vehicles [Member]
Revenue
Aftermarket Parts and Assemblies [Member] | Delivery And Service Vehicles [Member]
Revenue	$ 7,802	$ 4,894	$ 14,659	$ 11,099
Aftermarket Parts and Assemblies [Member] | Specialty Chassis and Vehicles [Member]
Revenue	$ 5,117	$ 4,169	$ 9,506	$ 7,205
Aftermarket Parts and Assemblies [Member] | Other Segments [Member]
Revenue
Aftermarket Parts and Assemblies [Member]
Revenue	$ 12,919	$ 9,063	$ 24,165	$ 18,304
Emergency Response Vehicles [Member]
Revenue	61,249	42,118	104,455	78,060
Depreciation and amortization expense	249	249	444	508
Operating income (loss)	(1,221)	(1,461)	(6,607)	(5,125)
Capital expenditures	352	199	765	242
Segment Assets	78,845	87,811	78,845	87,811
Delivery And Service Vehicles [Member]
Revenue	52,840	49,533	107,731	114,709
Depreciation and amortization expense	894	1,122	1,804	2,235
Operating income (loss)	3,293	1,683	5,943	4,279
Capital expenditures	257	230	506	370
Segment Assets	72,148	74,655	72,148	74,655
Specialty Chassis and Vehicles [Member]
Revenue	30,735	24,144	61,010	50,985
Depreciation and amortization expense	96	188	194	481
Operating income (loss)	1,991	1,426	2,957	2,059
Capital expenditures	180	72	317	167
Segment Assets	$ 15,838	$ 21,843	$ 15,838	$ 21,843
Other Segments [Member]
Revenue
Depreciation and amortization expense	$ 567	$ 601	$ 1,133	$ 1,195
Operating income (loss)	(1,718)	(1,617)	(4,305)	(4,724)
Capital expenditures	303	511	887	1,089
Segment Assets	76,060	71,999	76,060	71,999
Revenue	144,824	115,795	273,196	243,754
Depreciation and amortization expense	1,806	2,160	3,575	4,419
Operating income (loss)	2,345	31	(2,012)	(3,511)
Capital expenditures	1,092	1,012	2,475	1,868
Segment Assets	$ 242,891	$ 256,308	$ 242,891	$ 256,308