General Motors has plans to keep the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana in production in their current form until at least the 2023 calendar year, sources familiar with the matter told GM Authority. In fact, we were told that GM can extend production of the vehicles thru 2025, if it deems necessary.
The Express and Savana are noteworthy for being the oldest vans in the industry, a circumstance that hasn’t stopped them from selling in relatively large and respectable quantities. The current models were introduced in 1995 on the GMT600 platform. The vehicles received a refresh in 2003, with the update moving them to the GMT610 platform. It is unclear whether the models will receive any updates or enhancements on their way to the 2023, by which time the vans will be 20 years old (counting from the refresh in 2003) or 28 years old (counting from the initial introduction in 1995). It’s also unclear what will take place after 2023 or the extended 2025 timeframe – whether the lines will be discontinued or replaced by all-new models.
The most significant update that the twins recently received was the addition of the replacement of the old 6.6L Duramax LGH engine with the much newer 2.8L Duramax LWN diesel engine.
Given their age and relatively little fiscal investment from The General, the Express and Savana are believed to be huge cash cows for General Motors, bringing in profits hand over fist. Together, the vehicles garnered nearly 100,000 deliveries in 2017, 88,614 deliveries in 2016, 85,374 in 2015 and nearly 106,000 in 2014 (see combined Express and Savana sales tables by year). The figures are good enough to rival the sales volume of significantly newer and more modern Ford Transit family (see Ford Transit sales), which has quickly risen to become the industry’s best-selling full-size van lineup, while outselling the Ram ProMaster van (see RamProMaster sales) and Nissan NV.
Most units of the Express and Savana are built at the GM Wentzville factory in Missouri operated by GM USA. In early 2017, Navistar began contract assembly of the Express and Savana cutaway in its factory in Ohio as part of GM’s intent to boost the model’s production and supply. Both vehicles are sold predominantly in North America, with little to no export outside the continent.
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Comments
I heard that a replacement was being designed right around the time of the bankruptcy, but with the old model selling well it probably wasn’t cost justified. I think these are often sold on bids, so as long as the load capacities of the bid spec were met and the cost was lowest, they made the sale. Style and latest/greatest don’t often get factored into fleet sales. Also, I would suspect that “what fit in the old van has to fit in the new van” (not necessarily cargo, but racks, equipment, etc) makes a lot of fleet buyers reluctant to switch to the new gen vans that are shaped quite differently. The GM vans may have replaced some Econolines.
Maybe there’s a regulation coming into effect (crash/emmision/etc) around 2023-2025 forcing the update.
PS: there’s a few TopKick photos mixed in with your Savana pics
Sorry Nate no Topkick photos. Those are 610 cutaways with a box on the back. It’s unfortunate that last Topkick (560) was not saved. The plan was to use the body components because the planned longevity of the van program. All those features designed into the 560 we’re thrown out the window with the new Silverado model.
whatever they were, just sayin they weren’t savana’s, but I guess that was obvious – the pics were deleted
Hold on I have lots of people coming up to me saying is the express vans being discontinued, GMauthority is not a good source Not accurate, no one knows for sure that the vans will be discontinued, Alex be quiet and don’t lie, guys Chevy Express will be electric in couple of years. This site is not a good source, GM never announced or said that they will be discontinued in 2023. This site tells lies. No one knows the future, my resources say that they won’t, GMAUTHORITY is not owned by GM. There will be a electric Chevrolet Express probably, so don’t say you know the future, this site is not accurate, it’s not official news of GM. 🙄
GM never announced the Express or Savana was being discontinued, I spoke to Chevrolet and GMC, They said GMAuthority is not a accurate or good source. They said gm never said that the two vans will be discontinued they are the top selling vans in North America, and they will be electric in 2035 not replaced so shut up Alex Luft. 🙄 Don’t believe me, speak to Chevrolet or GMC, GMauthority is not accurate Not a good Source, and it’s not News from GM. Goodness This makes me angry, GMauthority tell lies! the Two vans will not be discontinued in 2023, GM never said the vans will be discontinued, it’s a Rumour! 😡
We buy these vans and tried, true, reliability and cost are the big factors here. The new Fords are simply not proven yet and there simply isn’t anything better about the Ford just because it’s newer.
GM did recently update to the Gen5 engines with 8 speeds, but I have not driven one of those. Even the old E250’s were fine, if they would just put a more fuel efficient engine and trans in them, they could have gone on no problem.
They are still big sellers in both the van and cutaway market.
The new Diesel engine is undoubtedly helping.
I will be buying the 2021 GMC Savana 3500 short wheel base with the new 6.6 LT8. Timeless, old school style.Parts are plentiful and cheap on every corner of every town. I then will be up fitting with new dana 60 4X4 system for camping, hunting and fishing. The vans are time proven durability. Don’t get me started on the Euro vans, not going to happen.
When the Ford Transit and the Fiat Ducato as RAM ProMaster are successful in North America, I wonder why GM has never undertaken to develop together with Opel a van for both Europe and the USA, and concluded instead co-production agreements with Renault and Fiat.
Me personally, I’d like to see some changes to the dashboard design or something just to give it a touch of modern… heck even an updated “CHEVROLET” badging would be nice. But I guess it sells so GM doesn’t want mess with success.
Also, I sat in one at the Pittsburgh auto show and let me tell ya those front seats are so cushy it’s unreal! But the van just screams early and mid 2000s GM.
Bring back the AWD , It was perfect .5.3l overdrive trans. lots of body options…did I mention…AWD !!!! I have owned 2 and driven a combined 400,000 miles towing, hauling and commuting..15.5mpg with tools over the mountians in any weather, AWD. ..Anyone want to see them offer an AWD with the 2.8 Duramax ?…300,000+ mile lifetime perhaps….
The Express and Savana are heavy duty vans, unlike the Transit. I was a Ford E Series owner for almost 40 years. When the Transit came out I had no choice but to move away from Ford. In my business I need the heavy duty application that the GM vans provide.
My cousin drove one of the Ford Transit vans for Groome Transportation and stated that the V6 engines appeared to be underpowered for what they were needed for.
The deisel ones are very underpowered especially when passing someone at higher speeds but it’s a fantastic van although. I wish GM would get their slow ass in gear and make something like that. Buying a GM like that is going backwards in my mind.
ever hear of “tuning”…I do agree that a 2.8l is not a big enough engine for loads and heavy towing. Something a bit bigger ,like maybe a 3.5l diesel…one can only hope…
You shouldnt have to tune every vehicle and in my case I’m never towing anything with it and the power is horrible, not to mention I lose warrenty if I tune it and believe me, I need that warrenty.
I wish more foot and leg room, especially the space for the left leg, in the express. Possibly with smaller just as powerful engines the drivers seat could be moved towards the center a few inches. This would also move the drivers view forward away from the A pillar.
I read an article at Trucktrend’s website that Chevrolet and Nissan are partnering togeather for a van with the NV body and GM engines. There are NV’s that are 4×4. If you do a search for “2020 Chevrolet Express Van” and look at images you see a nice looking Chevrolet badged van with large mirrors for towing. The picture has a airplane hanger in the back ground. I did not follow the link because Norton Safe Search listed it as questionable.
Explorer Van in Warsaw, Indiana has a 4×4 package for 2016-present GM vans. It uses 2500 HD truck components and even electronic 4×4 by the turn of a knob on the dash.
Does anyone know if the shell is the same I have the Chevy access package and don’t want to give it up was thinking I would buy a passenger van take the windows out and put my access doors in place of the windows. I do autoglass so it shouldn’t be a problem as long as interior shell is the same
time for a passenger van update long overdo lets go
I was read booked at Library in my school in 1994 I saw picture blue Chevy Express “Shuttle Bus” on side of van was appeared spy photo test drive around was plan for 1996.5. Original plan for 1996.5 Chevy Express from 1991! I trust you!
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