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GMC Savana Sales Increase 33 Percent To 9,503 Units In Q2 2019

GMC Savana sales increased in the United States and decreased in Canada during the second quarter of 2019.

  • The Savana is sold exclusively in the U.S. and Canada, and not in Mexico. Instead, GM only sells the Chevrolet Express in Mexico.

GMC Savana Sales - Q2 2019 - United States

In the United States, GMC Savana deliveries totaled 9,503 units in Q2 2019, an increase of about 33 percent compared to 7,167 units sold in Q2 2018.

In the first six months of the year, Savana sales increased about 34 percent to 16,069 units.
MODEL Q2 2019 / Q2 2018 Q2 2019 Q2 2018YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 YTD 2019 YTD 2018
SAVANA +32.59% 9,503 7,167 +34.31% 16,069 11,964

GMC Savana Sales - Q2 2019 - Canada

In Canada, GMC Savana deliveries totaled 1,509 units in Q2 2019, a decrease of about 41 percent compared to 2,575 units sold in Q2 2018.

In the first six months of the year, Savana sales decreased about 35 percent to 2,541 units.
MODEL Q2 2019 / Q2 2018 Q2 2019 Q2 2018YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 YTD 2019 YTD 2018
SAVANA -41.40% 1,509 2,575 -34.58% 2,541 3,884

2016 GMC Savana Cargo Van 03

Competitive Sales Comparison

GMC Savana sales were relatively strong in Q2 2019, posting a 33 percent increase in sales volume during a time when sales of its corporate twin – the Chevrolet Express – grew less than 1 percent. Even so, the Express sold twice as many units as the Savana during the time frame. In that regard, the Savana came in second-to-last place in its competitive set in terms of overall sales volume.

Leading the segments was the Ford Transit in first place (see Ford Transit sales), followed by the Chevy Express (see Chevrolet Express sales) in second, the Ram ProMaster (see Ram ProMaster sales) in third, Ford E-Series (see Ford E-Series sales) in fourth (the model is available exclusively as a cutaway), the GMC Savana fifth, and the Nissan NV in sixth. It’s worth acknowledging that GMC Savana sales had the largest growth in its segment, with the Nissan NV following with a 12 percent boost.

Sales Numbers - Full-Size Vans - Q2 2019 - United States

MODEL Q2 19 / Q2 18 Q2 19 Q2 18 Q2 19 SHARE Q2 18 SHARE YTD 19 / YTD 18 YTD 19 YTD 18
FORD TRANSIT +0.50% 41,265 41,061 40% 41% +2.37% 73,107 71,412
CHEVROLET EXPRESS +0.54% 21,528 21,413 21% 21% -5.93% 38,743 41,187
RAM PROMASTER -3.68% 13,393 13,905 13% 14% +31.19% 26,712 20,362
FORD E-SERIES -0.45% 11,560 11,612 11% 12% -12.37% 22,351 25,505
GMC SAVANA +32.59% 9,503 7,167 9% 7% +34.31% 16,069 11,964
NISSAN NV +12.25% 5,029 4,480 5% 4% +15.62% 9,536 8,248
TOTAL +2.65% 102,278 99,638 +4.39% 186,518 178,678

Combined deliveries of the Ford Transit and E-Series totaled 52,825 units, accounting for 51 percent segment share during the quarter. Meanwhile, GM’s offerings – the Chevy Express and GMC Savana – saw combined deliveries of just over 31,000 units for roughly 30 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 the GM twins are the oldest vehicles in the segment and have received very few changes over the past two decades.

The full-size mainstream van segment, which includes passenger, cargo, and cutaway/chassis cab models, expanded nearly 3 percent to 102,278 units in Q2 2019.

2016 GMC Savana Passenger interior 001

The GM Authority Take

The GMC Savana and Chevy Express are archaic relics that trace their roots to the 1990s. In fact, they are the oldest products in their respective segment, and by a wide margin. Even so, the duo continues to perform well in the marketplace.

We attribute the jump in GMC Savana sales performance to strong commercial/fleet vehicle deliveries during the quarter. It can often be the case that a commercial/fleet customer places a large order for a GMC product and not its Chevrolet equivalent, and that GM fulfills (delivers) the order in a single quarter. We imagine that this is what took place during the second quarter.

The solid performance of the Savana and Express is due to well-established up-fit offerings that prepare or modify the Savana for various commercial duties. The vans’ accessible purchase price and low operating cost also factors into their ongoing success. Meanwhile, 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. Looking ahead, GM has plans to produce the Express and Savana in their current forms until at least 2023. Meanwhile, the automaker could be working on an indirect replacement as an electric vehicle, as GM Authority was first to report.

About The Numbers

  • All percent change figures compared to GMC Savana Q2 2018 sales
  • In the United States, there were 77 selling days in Q2 2019 and 77 selling days in Q2 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.
General Motors Q2 2019 sales numbers:
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Comments

  1. Archaic? Because they don’t look “euro” and have a “green” propulsion system? Because they are on an old platform that itself is only in it’s second generation? Dated yes, but archaic is a bit strong for a platform that still serves the purpose well and offers a traditional V8 powered van for those who prefer it.
    This model is far from being outdated and these sales numbers seem to show that. FWD Turbo 4’s are not everybody’s preference.

    Reply
    1. Whoa! Hold your horses and don’t get hung up on a word you personally don’t like.

      The vans are archaic because they are literally archaic. The architecture and vehicle program date back to 1995. Do you know of any other vehicle currently on sale that directly dates back to a project from 25 years ago?

      Either way, being archaic clearly hasn’t prevented the Express/Savana from selling well. Their age doesn’t take anything away from them. But yes, they are older than old = archaic.

      PS: no van in this segment is FWD AND has a turbocharged four cylinder engine. In fact, only one model is FWD (Ram/Fiat) and no models have a turbo four.

      Reply
      1. Look up the 1970s MB G-Wagen.

        Reply
  2. No doubt the GM Van is archaic. However when your selling to contractors it doesn’t need to be state of the art technology. It just needs to dependable and affordable and of course job site friendly. This platform is supported in mass by aftermarket Van upfitters which is a benefit of being around since the mid 90’s. They have tossed just enough at this platform to keep it viable and desirable. The diesel option is huge. It aint much to look at, but as long as the construction economy is humming along, these will sell. When that stops, so will the sales and that is the downside of being a one trick pony.

    Reply

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