Chevy Express Sales Place Third In Segment During Q2 2023

September 12, 2023 5:06 pm

Chevy Express sales decreased in the United States but increased in Canada and Mexico during the second quarter of 2023.

Chevrolet Express Sales - Q2 2023 - United States

In the United States, Chevrolet Express deliveries totaled 9,227 units in Q2 2023, a decrease of about 27 percent compared to 12,687 units sold in Q2 2022.

In the first six months of the year, Express sales decreased about 17 percent to 17,822 units.

MODEL	Q2 2023 / Q2 2022	Q2 2023	Q2 2022	YTD 2023 / YTD 2022	YTD 2023	YTD 2022
EXPRESS	-27.27%	9,227	12,687	-17.29%	17,822	21,547

Chevrolet Express Sales - Q2 2023 - Canada

In Canada, Chevrolet Express deliveries totaled 866 units in Q2 2023, an increase of about 54 percent compared to 564 units sold in Q2 2022.

In the first six months of the year, Express sales increased about 53 percent to 1,352 units.

MODEL	Q2 2023 / Q2 2022	Q2 2023	Q2 2022	YTD 2023 / YTD 2022	YTD 2023	YTD 2022
EXPRESS	+53.55%	866	564	+52.94%	1,352	884

Chevrolet Express Sales - Q2 2023 - Mexico

In Mexico, Chevrolet Express deliveries totaled 81 units in Q2 2023, an increase of about 189 percent compared to 28 units sold in Q2 2022.

In the first six months of the year, Express sales increased about 162 percent to 110 units.

MODEL	Q2 2023 / Q2 2022	Q2 2023	Q2 2022	YTD 2023 / YTD 2022	YTD 2023	YTD 2022
EXPRESS	+189.29%	81	28	+161.90%	110	42

Competitive Sales Comparison (USA)

Chevy Express sales during the second quarter of 2023 placed the full-size van in third in its segment when ranked by sales volume. The Ford Transit (see running Ford Transit sales) remained at the top, as it has for a while now, posting a 30 percent jump in sales to 32,031 units. The Ram ProMaster remained in second, like it has for at least the last two years, posting a 27 percent swell to 20,200 units. The Express (see running Chevy Express sales) took third place with 28 percent drop to 9,227 units, the only model in this space that finished the quarter in the red. The Ford E-Series (see running Ford E-Series sales), The Blue Oval’s second entry, placed fourth with a 64 percent jump to 8,735 units. The GMC Savana (see running GMC Savana sales), platform mate of the Express, placed last with a seven percent bump to 7,269 units.

Sales Numbers - Full-Size Vans - Q2 2023 - USA

MODEL	Q2 23 / Q2 22	Q2 23	Q2 22	Q2 23 SHARE	Q2 22 SHARE	YTD 23 / YTD 22	YTD 23	YTD 22
FORD TRANSIT	+35.65%	30,287	22,327	40%	35%	+57.48%	61,134	38,820
RAM PROMASTER	+26.56%	20,200	15,961	27%	25%	+49.84%	37,894	25,289
CHEVROLET EXPRESS	-27.27%	9,227	12,687	12%	20%	-17.29%	17,822	21,547
FORD E-SERIES	+63.70%	8,735	5,336	12%	8%	+55.70%	19,520	12,537
GMC SAVANA	+6.85%	7,269	6,803	10%	11%	+23.26%	12,065	9,788
TOTAL	+19.97%	75,718	63,114			+37.46%	148,435	107,981

From a segment share standpoint, the Express posted a 12 percent share, down seven percentage points year-over-year. The Transit led with a commanding 41 percent segment share, up three percentage points, followed by the ProMaster with a 26 percent share, up two percentage points. The E-Series posted an 11 percent share, up three percentage points. The Savana earned a nine percent share, down one percentage point.

Combined sales of GM’s two full-size vans, the Chevy Express and GMC Savana, totaled 16,496 units for a 21 percent segment share, keeping The General in third.

Sales Numbers - GM Vans - Q2 2023 - USA

MODEL	Q2 23 / Q2 22	Q2 23	Q2 22	YTD 23 / YTD 22	YTD 23	YTD 22
CHEVROLET EXPRESS	-27.27%	9,227	12,687	-17.29%	17,822	21,547
GMC SAVANA	+6.85%	7,269	6,803	+23.26%	12,065	9,788
TOTAL	-15.36%	16,496	19,490	-4.62%	29,887	31,335

Meanwhile, combined sales of the two Ford models, the Transit and E-Series, totaled 40,766 units, giving The Blue Oval a dominating 52 percent segment share and over 30 percentage points more than the GM duo.

Sales Numbers - Ford Vans - Q2 2023 - USA

MODEL	Q2 23 / Q2 22	Q2 23	Q2 22	YTD 23 / YTD 22	YTD 23	YTD 22
FORD TRANSIT	+35.65%	30,287	22,327	+57.48%	61,134	38,820
FORD E-SERIES	+63.70%	8,735	5,336	+55.70%	19,520	12,537
TOTAL	+41.06%	39,022	27,663	+57.05%	80,654	51,357

The full-size van segment, which includes passenger, cargo, and cutaway/chassis cab models, grew 18 percent to 77,462 units in Q2 2023, meaning Express sales significantly underperformed the segment average.

The GM Authority Take

Lackluster sales performance of the Chevy Express shouldn’t come as a surprise. That’s because it, along with its GMC-badged twin, is an old vehicle tracing its roots to the 1990s. The duo is by far the oldest in the segment, while also holding the title of being the oldest GM vehicles currently in production.

Even so, the reason for the decline this quarter may have a result of GM prioritizing Savana production over that of the Chevy Express leading up to and during Q2 2023. This is likely the result of a not insubstantial fleet or commercial order of the Savana that GM must fulfill.

About Chevy Express

The 2023 Chevy Express represents the 20^th model year of the nameplate. For the 2023 model year, the Express and the GMC Savana, its corporate twin, continue with minimal changes, although both dropped the optional 2.8L I4 LWN turbo-diesel Duramax engine.

The 2024 Chevy Express gets two new transmissions – the only changes for the Passenger Van, Cargo Van and Cutaway configurations. However, the 2024 Chevy Express cargo van drops the naturally aspirated 6.6L V8 L8T gasoline engine, with the atmospheric 4.3L V6 LV1 gasoline engine the only remaining powerplant offered in that model. Additionally, 2024 Chevy Express infotainment system upgrades are no longer available, leaving the 2024 Express with only a single infotainment option, namely the base audio system consisting of the AM/FM stereo with MP3 player. That system includes an auxiliary jack and two front-door speakers.

Our intel suggests that GM initially planned to discontinue the Express and Savana after the 2025 model year, but GM Authority recently learned that the automaker has plans to redesign the Chevy Express for the 2027 model year, with the next-gen model keeping the ICE powertrain. Meanwhile, all-electric replacements are rumored for a 2026 debut.

A long overdue update to the product may help Chevy Express sales, as the vehicle is struggling in its competitive segment, especially if GMC retires its presence. Looking beyond that, the future of the all-electric full-size van landscape remains unclear, with very little information available.