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GMC Savana Sales Jump 40 Percent During Q1 2021

By Francisco Cruz

May 22, 2021 8:00 am

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GMC Savana sales increased in the United States while decreasing in Canada during the first quarter of 2021.

  • The Savana is sold exclusively in the U.S. and Canada. It is not sold in Mexico, where GM only sells its platform mate, the Chevrolet Express.

GMC Savana Sales - Q1 2021 - United States

In the United States, GMC Savana deliveries totaled 5,847 units in Q1 2021, an increase of about 40 percent compared to 4,182 units sold in Q1 2020.
MODEL Q1 2021 / Q1 2020 Q1 2021 Q1 2020
SAVANA +39.81% 5,847 4,182

GMC Savana Sales - Q1 2021 - Canada

In Canada, GMC Savana deliveries totaled 876 units in Q1 2021, a decrease of about 32 percent compared to 1,285 units sold in Q1 2020.
MODEL Q1 2021 / Q1 2020 Q1 2021 Q1 2020
SAVANA -31.83% 876 1,285

Competitive Sales Comparison (USA)

The 40 percent increase in GMC Savana sales moves the Savana into fifth place in its segment. Leading the space, and by a wide margin, was the Ford Transit in first place (see Ford Transit sales), followed by the aforementioned Chevy Express (see Chevrolet Express sales) in second, Ram ProMaster in third, Ford E-Series (see Ford E-Series sales) in fourth (the model is available exclusively in the cutaway configuration), and the GMC Savana in fifth. The GMC Savana outsold the last-place Nissan NV by 1,773 units, which will be discontinued in the near future. The Ford Transit was the only model in the segment to post a decrease in sales during the quarter.

Sales Numbers - Full-Size Vans - Q1 2021 - United States

MODEL Q1 21 / Q1 20 Q1 21 Q1 20 Q1 21 SHARE Q1 20 SHARE
FORD TRANSIT -25.48% 27,451 36,836 36% 47%
CHEVROLET EXPRESS +26.81% 16,877 13,309 22% 17%
RAM PROMASTER +13.51% 10,880 9,585 14% 12%
FORD E-SERIES +4.70% 10,573 10,098 14% 13%
GMC SAVANA +39.81% 5,847 4,182 8% 5%
NISSAN NV +9.28% 4,074 3,728 5% 5%
TOTAL -2.62% 75,702 77,738

On a segment share basis, the Transit accounted for a segment-leading 36 percent, while the Express saw 22 percent. The Ram ProMaster and E-Series claimed 14 percent each, while the Savana took 8 percent and the NV accounted for 5 percent.

Sales of the Savana’s corporate twin, the Chevrolet Express, grew nearly 27 percent. Notably, the Express sold roughly three times as many units as the Savana during the first quarter. GM’s two offerings – the Chevy Express and GMC Savana – saw combined deliveries of 22,724 units for a combined 30 percent share.

Sales Numbers - GM Vans - Q1 2021 - United States

MODEL Q1 21 / Q1 20 Q1 21 Q1 20
CHEVROLET EXPRESS +26.81% 16,877 13,309
GMC SAVANA +39.81% 5,847 4,182
TOTAL +29.92% 22,724 17,491

By comparison, combined deliveries of the Ford Transit and E-Series totaled 38,024 units, accounting for a 50 percent segment share during the quarter.

Sales Numbers - Ford Vans - Q1 2021 - United States

MODEL Q1 21 / Q1 20 Q1 21 Q1 20
FORD TRANSIT -25.48% 27,451 36,836
FORD E-SERIES +4.70% 10,573 10,098
TOTAL -18.98% 38,024 46,934

The full-size mainstream van segment, which includes passenger, cargo, and cutaway/chassis cab models, contracted nearly 3 percent to 75,702 units in Q1 2021, meaning that Savana sales during the quarter significantly outperformed the segment average.

The GM Authority Take

The GMC Savana and Chevy Express are old vehicles that trace their 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. And while every model in the segment except for the Ford Transit experienced growth, the Savana and Express saw the largest gains during the quarter.

In other words, the Savana and Express duo continue to perform relatively well in the marketplace, holding their own in the segment. The two vans have a strong reputation for being hard-working, trustworthy and reliable. Further helping the Savana (and Express) 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 Savana/Express 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 Savana will receive 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 Savana and Express in their current forms until at least 2023, as GM Authority was first to exclusively report. That timeline could be extended, if GM feels the need to do so. Meanwhile, an indirect replacement for the Express and Savana is part of GM’s electric vehicle plans and will come at least in the form of the BrightDrop EV600, and potentially in the BrightDrop ERLV.

About The Numbers

  • All percent change figures compared to GMC Savana sales for Q1 2020, unless noted otherwise
  • In the United States, there were 74 selling days in Q1 2021 and 76 selling days in Q1 2020
  • 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 Q1 2021 sales reports:

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By Francisco Cruz

A car-loving millennial. We Are!

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