Chevy Express sales decreased in the United States and Mexico while increasing in Canada during the third quarter of 2020.
Chevrolet Express Sales - Q3 2020 - United States
In the United States, Chevrolet Express deliveries totaled 14,875 units in Q3 2020, a decrease of about 33 percent compared to 22,062 units sold in Q3 2019.In the first nine months of the year, Express sales decreased about 39 percent to 37,190 units.
| MODEL | Q3 2020 / Q3 2019 | Q3 2020 | Q3 2019 | YTD 2020 / YTD 2019 | YTD 2020 | YTD 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXPRESS | -32.58% | 14,875 | 22,062 | -38.84% | 37,190 | 60,805 |
Chevrolet Express Sales - Q3 2020 - Canada
In Canada, Chevrolet Express deliveries totaled 617 units in Q3 2020, an increase of about 3 percent compared to 600 units sold in Q3 2019.In the first nine months of the year, Express sales decreased about 39 percent to 1,981 units.
| MODEL | Q3 2020 / Q3 2019 | Q3 2020 | Q3 2019 | YTD 2020 / YTD 2019 | YTD 2020 | YTD 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXPRESS | +2.84% | 617 | 600 | -38.91% | 1,981 | 3,243 |
Chevrolet Express Sales - Q3 2020 - Mexico
In Mexico, Chevrolet Express deliveries totaled 58 units in Q3 2020, a decrease of about 35 percent compared to 89 units sold in Q3 2019.In the first nine months of the year, Express sales decreased about 37 percent to 177 units.
| MODEL | Q3 2020 / Q3 2019 | Q3 2020 | Q3 2019 | YTD 2020 / YTD 2019 | YTD 2020 | YTD 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXPRESS | -34.83% | 58 | 89 | -37.23% | 177 | 282 |
Competitive Sales Comparison (U.S.)
Chevy Express sales decreased substantially during Q3 2020, posting a 32 percent loss in sales volume during a time when sales of its corporate twin – the GMC Savana – fell substantially less, by 3.5 percent. Notably, the Express sold over three times as many units as the Savana during the same time frame. The performance places the Express in third place in its segment by sales volume out of a total of six rivals.
Leading the segment, and by a wide margin, was the Ford Transit in first place (see Ford Transit sales), followed by the Ram ProMaster, and the Express (see running running Chevrolet Express sales). The Ford E-Series followed in fourth (see Ford E-Series sales), despite the model being available exclusively in the cutaway configuration), and the Express’ twin, the GMC Savana, in fifth (see running GMC Sierra sales). The Nissan NV brought up the rear in sixth place. All models in the segment except for the Ram posted a decrease in sales during the quarter.
Sales Numbers - Full-Size Vans - Q3 2020 - United States
| MODEL | Q3 20 / Q3 19 | Q3 20 | Q3 19 | Q3 20 SHARE | Q3 19 SHARE | YTD 20 / YTD 19 | YTD 20 | YTD 19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD TRANSIT | -11.36% | 38,890 | 43,876 | 44% | 43% | -19.93% | 93,670 | 116,983 |
| RAM PROMASTER | +9.66% | 15,998 | 14,589 | 18% | 14% | -18.90% | 33,496 | 41,301 |
| CHEVROLET EXPRESS | -32.58% | 14,875 | 22,062 | 17% | 22% | -38.84% | 37,190 | 60,805 |
| FORD E-SERIES | -5.96% | 9,286 | 9,875 | 11% | 10% | -21.85% | 25,186 | 32,226 |
| GMC SAVANA | -3.55% | 4,843 | 5,021 | 6% | 5% | -43.06% | 12,009 | 21,090 |
| NISSAN NV | -38.76% | 3,760 | 6,140 | 4% | 6% | -33.81% | 10,376 | 15,676 |
| TOTAL | -13.70% | 87,652 | 101,563 | -26.43% | 211,927 | 288,081 |
On a segment share basis, the Transit accounted for a segment-leading 44 percent, the ProMaster took 18 percent, and the Express saw 17 percent. E-Series held 11 percent, Savana had six, and Nissan NV –Â which will exit the commercial van segment in the near future – took four.
The full-size mainstream van segment, which includes passenger, cargo, and cutaway/chassis cab models, contracted 13.7 percent to 87,652 units in Q3 2020, meaning that Express sales contracted faster than the segment average.
Sales Numbers - GM Vans - Q3 2020 - United States
| MODEL | Q3 20 / Q3 19 | Q3 20 | Q3 19 | YTD 20 / YTD 19 | YTD 20 | YTD 19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET EXPRESS | -32.58% | 14,875 | 22,062 | -38.84% | 37,190 | 60,805 |
| GMC SAVANA | -3.55% | 4,843 | 5,021 | -43.06% | 12,009 | 21,090 |
| TOTAL | -27.19% | 19,718 | 27,083 | -39.92% | 49,199 | 81,895 |
Combined sales of the two GM vans – the Express and Savana – totaled 19,718 units in Q3 2020. By comparison, combined deliveries of the Ford Transit and E-Series totaled 48,176, units. That gives Ford a 55 percent segment share versus 23 percent for GM.
Sales Numbers - Ford Vans - Q3 2020 - United States
| MODEL | Q3 20 / Q3 19 | Q3 20 | Q3 19 | YTD 20 / YTD 19 | YTD 20 | YTD 19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD TRANSIT | -11.36% | 38,890 | 43,876 | -19.93% | 93,670 | 116,983 |
| FORD E-SERIES | -5.96% | 9,286 | 9,875 | -21.85% | 25,186 | 32,226 |
| TOTAL | -10.37% | 48,176 | 53,751 | -20.34% | 118,856 | 149,209 |
The GM Authority Take
The Chevy Express (and the GMC Savana) is an old vehicle that traces its roots to the 1990s. In fact, the duo is the oldest vehicle in the segment, and by a wide margin. They’re also the oldest GM vehicles currently in production.
We attribute the drop in Express sales during the third quarter of 2020 to two complications associated with the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Sub-par supply at the dealer level as a result of production downtime lasting roughly two months, preventing dealers from selling the vehicle and fulfilling fleet/commercial orders, and
- Sub-par demand, as some companies scaled back plans to purchase new products or update their fleets
Though these two circumstances impacted the entire industry and segment, they appear to have had a more pronounced impact on the Express, causing the vehicle to slip into third place in its segment. The model typically occupies the second place, behind the Transit. We expect Chevy Express sales to rebound as factors related to both supply and demand improve during the Q4 2020 and into 2021.
Though the Express and Savana continue to perform relatively well in the marketplace, their segment share has been slipping as of late. The two vans have a strong reputation for being hard-working, trustworthy and reliable. Further helping the Express (and Savana) are well-established offerings from upfitters that prepare or modify the van for various commercial-purpose duties. The accessible purchase price and low operating cost is another factor responsible for the ongoing success of the Express/Savana duo.
Additionally, 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 product. Looking ahead, the Express receives several improvements for the 2021 model year, headlined by the replacement of the archaic Vortec 6.0L V8 L96 engine (and its LC8 gaseous variant) with the new 6.6L V8 L8T motor.
As far as we know, GM plans to produce the Express and Savana in their current forms until at least 2023, as GM Authority was first to exclusively report. That timeline could be extended by a few years. Meanwhile, an indirect replacement for the Express and Savana is part of GM’s electric vehicle plans, and the vehicle should launch by 2025 at the latest.
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to Chevy Express sales for Q3 2019, unless noted otherwise
- In the United States, there were 77 selling days in Q3 2020 and 76 selling days in Q3 2019
- 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.
- GM Q3 2020 sales U.S.A.
- Chevrolet sales Q3 2020 U.S.A.
- Cadillac sales Q3 2020 U.S.A.
- Buick sales Q3 2020 U.S.A.
- GMC sales Q3 2020 U.S.A.
- GM Canada sales Q3 2020
- Chevrolet Canada sales Q3 2020
- Cadillac Canada sales Q3 2020
- Buick Canada sales Q3 2020
- GMC Canada sales Q3 2020
- GM Mexico sales Q3 2020
- GM Mexico sales July 2020
- Chevrolet Mexico July 2020 sales
- Buick Mexico July 2020 sales
- GMC Mexico July 2020 sales
- Cadillac Mexico July 2020 sales
- GM Mexico sales August 2020
- Chevrolet Mexico August 2020 sales
- Buick Mexico August 2020 sales
- GMC Mexico August 2020 sales
- Cadillac Mexico August 2020 sales
- GM Mexico sales September 2020
- Chevrolet Mexico September 2020 sales
- Buick Mexico September 2020 sales
- GMC Mexico September 2020 sales
- Cadillac Mexico September 2020 sales
- GM Mexico sales July 2020
- GM China sales Q3 2020
- Chevrolet China Q3 2020 sales
- Buick China Q3 2020 sales
- Cadillac China Q3 2020 sales
- GM Brazil sales Q3 2020
- GM Argentina sales Q3 2020
- GM South Korea sales Q3 2020
- GM South Korea July 2020 sales
- Chevrolet South Korea July 2020 sales
- Cadillac South Korea July 2020 sales
- GM South Korea August 2020 sales
- Chevrolet South Korea August 2020 sales
- Cadillac South Korea August 2020 sales
- GM South Korea September 2020 sales
- Chevrolet South Korea September 2020 sales
- Cadillac South Korea September 2020 sales
- GM South Korea July 2020 sales
- GM Russia sales Q3 2020
- GM Russia sales July 2020
- GM Russia sales August 2020
- GM Russia sales September 2020
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Comments
Well they’ve been the exact same for 30 years. Maybe a refresh is in order?
Did you read the article? Steady updates throughout the life. Q3 sales downfall is a supply problem, not a product problem.
They should get a time machine back to 1995, Gm can get any part they need there. Lol
A true classic that stands the test of time. Beautiful lines with modern technology.
Most durable van available today, and they can tow quite a bit too.
All of these articles are worthless because they fail to add the Chevy and GMC numbers together when drawing their conclusions.
I’ve owned 5 of them through the years working as an electrical contractor and I have been very happy with em . I know they are a commercial vehicle and White is the standard color so I ordered one in the shadow gray with the 4.6 6 cylinder 8 speed transmission in 2019 and couldn’t be happier.
It is a true classic and I don’t care for the box look even though for shelving it would be more efficient so I vote for no change since I might need another one ( before lights out ) .
The big question is: will GM use this van to build the electric version or insist on making an whole new platform for their electric van?
The electric Transit range is going to be 126 miles. Unless GM develops a greater range I’m not moving to electric because sometimes I need more than that.
If you need a low roof van the Express is the way to go. Is longer, the rear doors wide open easily and leg space for both the passenger and driver is the best. Over the years I have owned many, now I own a 2018. The 8 speed transmission shifts smooth but it needed to be flushed with less than 20k miles because of the factory fluid problem. The transmission and drive shaft makes a clunking noise when you shift into drive or reverse, like a damaged universal joint, and per GM service bulletin that’s the normal operation. When you drive a Transit you can feel the awkward steering wheel position and the cramped leg space.
These vans rust out so quickly, it’s hard to find a decent used one. The paint peels off of them, the door handles break. The cargo area is cramped, you can’t fit 10′ sticks of pipe in the back unless you modify the bulkhead or get the long wheelbase. The older ones don’t have center arm rests. It’s a typical chevy, the entire thing is garbage but the engine and transmission just won’t die.
I don’t think the paint peeling thing – which WAS horrible- has been a issue for quite awhile. Mine is ten years old – no paint peeling and no door handle breaking…
All I can say is it’s a shame that the paint is peeling off my van and Chevy will not do anything about this. I know of people getting away from GM because of this.
Check out market penetration over the years. It is trending down. Other makers have updated product. The trend will continue.
Absolutely. The next quarter will tell us a lot. I don’t think Chevy can wait until 2023. They ran the Express/Savana as long as they could – the times they are a changing. Ford’s electric van is coming out in 2022.
Why doesn’t GM’s white paint stay on the metal? Every commercial van I see has the paint peeling off in large sections.
If I get a BV1; I’d like it either to be powder coated or just clear coat over the steel since the white paint seems to be an issue. Or do a stainless steel version of the vehicle? Or start making them out of COR-TEN? Maybe if GM changes paint suppliers? Is it a metal prep issue or the primer? Maybe they are using house paint? Let’s just blame it all on Mary Barra till it gets fixed. It’s obviously all her fault.
It’s definitely a supply problem because I’ve been trying to get my hands on a 2020 or a 2021 and dealers trying to screw me, so I won’t buy at msrp. Sucks this is a supply problem because these vans are workhorses. Problem is Nissan and Chevy have the last heavy duty vans left….transit, sprinter, promaster are service duty
Great unit. On my 5th.
Love these vans but that drop in sales was extreme. if they don’t rebound in the last quarter – can Chevy wait until 202?