GMC Savana Sales Grew 61 Percent But Still Placed Last In Q1 2023

GMC Savana sales increased in the United States and Canada during the first quarter of 2023.

GMC Savana Sales - Q1 2023 - United States

In the United States, GMC Savana deliveries totaled 4,796 units in Q1 2023, an increase of about 61 percent compared to 2,985 units sold in Q1 2022.

GMC Savana Sales - Q1 2023 - Canada

In Canada, GMC Savana deliveries totaled 570 units in Q1 2023, an increase of about 138 percent compared to 239 units sold in Q1 2022.

• 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.

Competitive Sales Comparison (USA)

GMC Savana sales during the first quarter of 2023 kept the full-size van in last place in its segment when ranked by sales volume in spite of a strong bump in sales. The Ford Transit (see running Ford Transit sales) remained in first place, as it has year after year, posting an 86 percent jump in sales to 32,015 units, while the Ram ProMaster remained second, like it has for at least the last two years, with an 87 percent leap to 17,694 units. The Blue Oval’s second entry, the Ford E-Series (see running Ford E-Series sales), placed third with a 50 percent bump to 10,785 units. The two GM vans took up the rear, with the Chevy Express (see running Chevy Express sales), the Savana’s corporate twin, placing fourth with a three percent dip to 8,595 units, while the GMC Savana placed last but with a 61 percent jump to 4,796 units.

The discontinued Nissan NV has fallen off the list at this point, meaning that just the Detroit Big Three now serve the U.S. full-size van market, which is comprised of passenger, cargo, and cutaway/chassis cab models.

Sales Numbers - Full-Size Vans - Q1 2023 - USA

From a segment share standpoint, the Savana posted a six percent share, down one percentage point. The Transit led with a commanding 43 percent segment share, up five percentage points year-over-year, while the ProMaster held a 24 percent share, up four percentage points. The E-Series earned a 15 percent share, down one percentage point. The Express posted a 12 percent share, down seven percentage points.

Combined sales of the two GM vans, the Chevy Express and GMC Savana, totaled 13,391 units for an 18 percent segment share, keeping The General in last place.

Sales Numbers - GM Vans - Q1 2023 - United States

Meanwhile, combined sales of the two Ford models, the Transit and E-Series, totaled 42,800 units to give The Blue Oval a dominating 58 percent segment share and a full 40 percentage points more than the GM duo.

Sales Numbers - Ford Vans - Q1 2023 - United States

The full-size van segment, which includes passenger, cargo, and cutaway/chassis cab models, grew 62 percent to 73,885 units in Q1 2023, meaning Savana sales closely matched the segment average.

The GM Authority Take

Although sales of the GMC Savana fared far better than those of the Chevy Express, the results weren’t enough to move Big Red’s offering out of last place in its segment. We posit that the skewed results in favor of the Savana over those of the Express were caused by GM prioritizing production of the GMC over the Chevy, likely due to a large fleet order.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that the Savana (and Express) is an old vehicle that traces its roots to the 1990s. In fact, the duo remains the oldest models in their segment by a wide margin. They’re also the oldest GM vehicles currently in production.

About GMC Savana

The Savana and Express receive a handful of minor changes for the 2022 model year, including the removal of the power window delete option, transmission oil cooler, and CD player option. Bigger changes were applied for the previous 2021 model year, such as the addition of the atmospheric 6.6L V8 L8T gasoline engine to replace the L96 motor (and its gaseous LC8 variant).

For the 2023 model year, the Savana and Express continue with minimal changes, though one noteworthy change is deletion of the optional turbo-diesel 2.8L I-4 LWN turbo-diesel Duramax engine. The 4.3L V6 LV1 and aforementioned L8T gasoline engines will remain.

While GM was planning to discontinue the Savana and Express after the 2025 model year, GM may now have plans to redesign the Chevy Express for the 2027 model year, keeping the ICE powertrain. However, there are currently no such plans for the GMC Savana. Additionally, all-electric replacements are rumored for a 2026 debut.

Even while GMC retires its entry in the full-size van segment, an overdue updated model from Chevy may help sales for GM, which is struggling here. Looking beyond that, however, the future of the all-electric full-size van landscape is little more than rumor at this point.

About The Numbers

• All percent change figures compared to GMC Savana sales for Q1 2022, unless noted otherwise
• In the United States, there were 75 selling days for Q1 2023 and 75 selling days for Q1 2022
• 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 continuously been declined.
• GM Q1 2023 sales reports:
  • GM Q1 2023 sales U.S.A.
    • Chevrolet sales Q1 2023 U.S.A.
    • Cadillac sales Q1 2023 U.S.A.
    • Buick sales Q1 2023 U.S.A.
    • GMC sales Q1 2023 U.S.A.
  • GM Canada sales Q1 2023
  • GM Mexico sales Q1 2023
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  • GM China sales Q1 2023
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      • Chevrolet South Korea January 2023 sales
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