There’s no escaping the fact that the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana are downright archaic. There are two ways to track the vans’ age: they’re either 23 years old since the first Express launched in 1996, or 16 years old since the vans last received major updates in 2003. Both numbers corroborate the point, though: GM’s vans are aged offerings.
Our sister site, Ford Authority, kept that in mind while driving the 2017 Ford Transit 350 EcoBoost. The model Ford Authority drove was the posh work van filled to the gills with optional equipment. But even if we looked past the fancy equipment in the Ford, such as heated tow mirrors, power running board and more, the Transit spoke its strengths loud and clear: it simply does the cargo van thing better, a circumstance that also carries over to the sales charts.
2016 Chevrolet Express Cargo van
Although Ford Transit sales were down in 2017, it still handily outsold the Chevy Express and its GMC Savana twins, combined. We’re sure that offering the Transit in a never-ending combination of trim configurations and options helps to make its sales case, since it would seem that there is a Transit for just about everybody.
Sales Numbers - Full-Size Vans - December 2017 - United States
| MODEL | DEC 17 / DEC 16 | DECEMBER 17 | DECEMBER 16 | YTD 17 / YTD 16 | YTD 17 | YTD 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRANSIT | -5.18% | 12,380 | 13,056 | -11.09% | 127,360 | 143,244 |
| E-SERIES | -17.72% | 3,911 | 4,753 | -1.73% | 53,304 | 54,245 |
| EXPRESS | -18.90% | 6,296 | 7,763 | +1.70% | 69,164 | 68,007 |
| PROMASTER | -28.59% | 3,352 | 4,694 | +0.11% | 40,483 | 40,440 |
| SAVANA | -54.73% | 1,954 | 4,316 | +44.02% | 29,679 | 20,607 |
| NV | -15.44% | 1,638 | 1,937 | -0.08% | 17,858 | 17,873 |
| TOTAL | -19.14% | 29,531 | 36,519 | -1.91% | 337,848 | 344,416 |
And that truly begs the question: where in the world are GM’s new vans? The Transit’s European roots lend themselves better to cargo capacity and hauling, and Ford Authority even found the driving experience rather delightful. Granted, we have yet to drive the 2018 Express or Savana, which now boast a new base V6 engine and 8-speed automatic transmission, or an optional 2.8-liter Duramax turbodiesel, but the foundation of GM’s vans is still the same as it has been for over two decades. Once upon a time, it seemed like Opel could come to GM’s rescue and provide its entire portfolio of commercial and cargo vans. That option is no more after GM sold the brand to PSA Groupe in 2017.
2015 Opel Vivaro cargo van
So from here, GM could either develop a new lineup of vans by itself or co-develop them with another industry player. Partnering with others on commercial vehicles is a strategy that has lately been growing in popularity for GM. For instance, the upcoming Chevrolet Medium Duty Trucks – the Silverado 4500HD and Silverado 5500HD – are being developed in conjunction with Navistar. The two companies also inked a separate deal back in 2016 that has Navistar producing cutaway versions of GM’s vans at a plant of its own, in order to expand supply of Express/Savana cutaways. Meanwhile, the Chevrolet Low Cab Forward is sourced directly from Isuzu, with seemingly little (or rather no) GM input, while the Chevrolet City Express is sourced straight from Nissan, also with minimal, if any, GM involvement.
Or, the segment simply isn’t ripe for revolution in GM’s eyes. The Express and Savana keep a loyal fleet crowd and investments may not outweigh the benefits. We don’t know the answer, but the Transit 350 EcoBoost felt two leagues ahead of GM.
Comments
I remember an article here that mentioned GM electric program adding a LCV. Could this be when GM finally rolls out a new van??
Yeah in another 10 years.
Yes the Transit has that Euro wow factor that impresses journalists, but it lacks the long term durability the GM does. Ask a bigh mileage high load user like an expediter and you will hear of transmission issues and that silly cheap rubber coupler they use in the driveshat instead of a real u joint. It is the best Euro box available in North America though.
GM might co-develop with Opel and other PSA brands.
Opel cooperates with Renault on large and midsized LCVs (Opel Movano/Renault Master/Nissan NV400, Opel Vivaro/Renault Trafic/Nissan NV300 and since 2016 Fiat Talento), and PSA co-produces the large ones together with FCA. The RAM ProMaster is a version of the Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer and Citroën Jumper. Fiat got out of the cooperation of the midsized LCVs at the end of the product cycle of Peugeot Expert/Citroëen Jumpy/Fiat Scudo, which were LCV versions of the “Eurovan” minvan, which Fiat left in 2011/12 preferring to produce a Lancia version of the Crysler Voyager.
PSA might be interested to end Opel’s cooperation with the other French automaker, and also ending the last common project with Fiat, after having terminated already sourcing the mini LCV Citroën Nemo and Peugeot Bipper OEM versions of the Fiat Fiorino.
Express/Savana are tried and true. I’m fine with GM updating them, as they have done in the past 3 years. GM offers running boards, park assist, nav, backup camera, and much more.
When it comes to the actual numbers though, especially payload, the GM twins crap on the Ford and Ram vans. The Ford may be “newer and fancy” but GM still produces what really matters. A truly heavy duty and capable van family.
I think they do the job just fine! How many ways are there to design a metal box? Just a shame they stopped making the old Astro/Safari vans, the backbone of the service industry for years!
The Astro/Safari vans were the perfect size for everyday family duty, hauling the occasional load of lumber, etc., and packing up for vacation.
We use the Express in our fleet and they’re very good match for high GVW numbers in which Transit can’t match. The only issue i found with the GM driveline was the 6.0l was a little underpowered prior to the new unit we got which is very impressive with the power increase . Suspension and handling is still pretty good
I agree with everyone on here. The express van is perfect and the aftermarket items for cargo handling that outdo the transit 10 to 1. Vastly superior. Ford can’t compete in payload, towing capacity, or durability. How can you say the transit is better because it’s a little nicer. Nicer doesn’t spell out dependability or durability. It’s cheap to work on the express and parts are available everywhere. No turbos, no extras, just get in and go. The reason Chevy doesn’t have as many sales is because no one needs a new one. They have them for years, end of story.
So, as I read here, the Chevy and GM have better payload, towing and durability. Yes the Ford looks all modern and new, but the several dozen Chevy and GMC around here are used as shuttle buses and cargo vans, not really people who care about looks. The one lonely City Express the local dealer got in sat on the lot for about a year, probably finally sold at a great discount.