Chevrolet Express sales decreased in the United States and in Mexico during the first quarter of 2019.
Chevrolet Express Sales - Q1 2019 - United States
In the United States, Chevrolet Express deliveries totaled 17,215 units in Q1 2019, a decrease of about 13 percent compared to 19,774 units sold in Q1 2018.| MODEL | Q1 2019 / Q1 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q1 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXPRESS | -12.94% | 17,215 | 19,774 |
Chevrolet Express Sales - Q1 2019 - Canada
In Canada, Chevrolet Express deliveries totaled 1,288 units in Q1 2019, an increase of about 3 percent compared to 1,250 units sold in Q1 2018.| MODEL | Q1 2019 / Q1 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q1 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXPRESS | +3.04% | 1,288 | 1,250 |
Chevrolet Express Sales - Q1 2019 - Mexico
In Mexico, Chevrolet Express deliveries totaled 108 units in Q1 2019, a decrease of about 18 percent compared to 132 units sold in Q1 2018.| MODEL | Q1 2019 / Q1 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q1 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXPRESS | -18.18% | 108 | 132 |
Competitive Sales Comparison
Chevy Express sales were good enough to put the aging archaic but proven vehicle into second place in its segment during the quarter, behind the Ford Transit in first place (see Ford Transit sales). Though second place doesn’t sound too bad, we should note that the Transit outsold the Express nearly two-fold, while experiencing a 5 percent growth rate compared to the 13 percent drop in Express sales volume. As such, the Transit maintained its market share at 38 percent, while the Express saw its market share fall from 25 to 20 percent.
To its credit, the Express outsold the Ram ProMaster (see Ram ProMaster sales), Ford E-Series (see Ford E-Series sales), the Nissan NV, and the Express’ twin – the GMC Savana (see GMC Savana sales). However, sales of the Ram ProMaster jumped a whopping 106 percent. Furthermore, the Ford E-Series was the only other model to see sales volume fall during the quarter.
Sales Numbers - Full-Size Vans - Q1 2019 - United States
| MODEL | Q1 19 / Q1 18 | Q1 19 | Q1 18 | Q1 19 SHARE | Q1 18 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD TRANSIT | +4.91% | 31,842 | 30,351 | 38% | 38% |
| CHEVROLET EXPRESS | -12.94% | 17,215 | 19,774 | 20% | 25% |
| RAM PROMASTER | +106.27% | 13,319 | 6,457 | 16% | 8% |
| FORD E-SERIES | -22.33% | 10,791 | 13,893 | 13% | 18% |
| GMC SAVANA | +36.88% | 6,566 | 4,797 | 8% | 6% |
| NISSAN NV | +19.61% | 4,507 | 3,768 | 5% | 5% |
| TOTAL | +6.58% | 84,240 | 79,040 |
It’s also worth noting that combined deliveries of the Ford Transit and E-Series totaled 42,633 units, accounting for 51 percent segment share during the quarter. Meanwhile, GM’s offerings – the Chevy Express and GMC Savana – saw cumulative deliveries of just under 24,000 units for roughly 28 percent market share – significantly less than that of the Blue Oval. Even so, the fact that the Express (and Savana) can garner as many deliveries as they do is quite impressive, given that GM’s twin vans are the oldest vehicles in the segment that have seen very few changes over the past two decades.
The full-size mainstream van segment, which includes passenger, cargo, and cutaway/chassis cab models, expanded more than 6 percent to 84,240 units in Q1 2019.
The GM Authority Take
The Express is an archaic relic that traces its roots to the 1990s. In fact, it’s the oldest product in the Chevrolet lineup, and by a wide margin. Even so, it remains a solid seller for Chevrolet and General Motors, and its 47 percent growth rate in the fourth quarter of 2018 was nothing short of impressive.
We attribute the Express’ sustained sales performance to the product being cost-effective to buy, up-fit, operate and maintain, despite the availability of significantly newer and more competitive products such as the Ford Transit, Nissan NV and Fiat/Ram ProMaster.
Also working in the Express’ favor is a well-established up-fitter community of up-fitters who prepare or modify the vehicle for various commercial duties. We also believe that the introduction of the 2.8L Duramax Turbo-Diesel LWN engine and 8-speed automatic transmission (M5U), introduced for the 2017 model year, has generated increased interest in the model. That said, we expect the Express’ success to continue to dwindle in market as the competition continues to offer newer vehicles. Luckily, it seems that GM is working on a replacement, of sorts.
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to Chevrolet Express Q1 2018 sales
- In the United States, there were 76 selling days in Q1 2019 and 76 selling days in Q1 2018
- Sales numbers for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van are not available, since the Mercedes-Benz Vans division does not break out sales by model. Requests to provide the information have been continuously declined.
2016 Chevy Express Passenger van
About Chevrolet Express
The Chevrolet Express is a line of full-size vans offered in cargo, passenger, and cutaway configurations. It slots above the Chevrolet City Express compact van, which was sourced from Nissan but has been discontinued after the 2018 model year.
The first-generation Express ran from the 1996-2002 model years and was based on the GMT 600 platform. In 2003, an updated model was launched on what is known as the GMT 610 platform. This updated model remains on sale today, albeit the range has undergone a few updates to powertrain and minor styling changes. The Express also has a GMC-badged twin - the GMC Savana.
It is currently unclear whether or when General Motors will overhaul the Express, which is showing its age. The 2019 model year will represent its 17th year on the market.
Sold primarily to fleet customers, the Chevrolet Express is built primarily at the GM Wentzville factory in Missouri operated by GM USA. In early 2017, Navistar began contract assembly of the Express cutaway in its factory in Springfield, Ohio, as part of GM's plan to boost the model's production and supply.
Related News & Info
- GM news
- GM forums
- Chevy Express information
- Running GM sales results
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- Running Chevrolet Express sales numbers
- Running Chevrolet sales results
Comments
One of our employees used to have a 2002 Express 3500. It had about 220k miles on it and he still drove it from jersey every day (about 32 miles). Not to mention, the truck was always loaded with his 6000 lbs in tools/material.
We just bought him a 2018 Sprinter diesel. The truck gets 20 MPG with the same 6000 lbs and MB included a 6 year/ 100k mile warranty for free. He loves it.
Why not brought him the Express with the 2.8 Duramax?
Yes it would give him at least 23 MPG.
I like this, dated product but still in 2nd place. Just shows people appreciate a simple, reliable product.
That’s pretty much how I see the Express/Savana. Definitely dated and really ugly interior, but they will handily outlast everything else in the market.
This has been a good workhorse. GM shot themself in the foot with all of the paint peeling issue and coolant problems. I have owned the ford e series and also the sprinter. The GM product is still running strong approaching 200k Miles. Tough to beat but itis time for a major update.