GMC Savana Sales Down 17 Percent To Remain Last In Segment During Q3 2023

GMC Savana sales decreased in the United States but increased in Canada during the third quarter of 2023.

GMC Savana Sales - Q3 2023 - United States

In the United States, GMC Savana deliveries totaled 7,196 units in Q3 2023, a decrease of about 17 percent compared to 8,681 units sold in Q3 2022.

In the first nine months of the year, Savana sales increased about 4 percent to 19,261 units.
MODEL Q3 2023 / Q3 2022 Q3 2023 Q3 2022YTD 2023 / YTD 2022 YTD 2023 YTD 2022
SAVANA -17.11% 7,196 8,681 +4.29% 19,261 18,469

GMC Savana Sales - Q3 2023 - Canada

In Canada, GMC Savana deliveries totaled 1,252 units in Q3 2023, an increase of about 30 percent compared to 960 units sold in Q3 2022.

In the first nine months of the year, Savana sales increased about 34 percent to 2,487 units.
MODEL Q3 2023 / Q3 2022 Q3 2023 Q3 2022YTD 2023 / YTD 2022 YTD 2023 YTD 2022
SAVANA +30.42% 1,252 960 +33.78% 2,487 1,859
  • 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 third quarter of 2023 saw it remain in last place, when ranked by sales volume, in the full-size van segment, which is comprised of passenger, cargo, and cutaway/chassis cab models. The Ford Transit (see running Ford Transit sales) kept the top spot, as it has since it launched, posting a 25 percent bump in sales to 31,389 units. The Ram ProMaster remained in second, like it has for more than two years now, with a 34 percent swell to 22,446 units. The Chevy Express (see running Chevy Express sales), the Savana’s corporate twin, took third with a 15 percent slip to 12,724 units. The Blue Oval’s second entry, the Ford E-Series (see running Ford E-Series sales), followed in fourth place with a 13 percent increase to 10,982 units. Finally, the GMC Savana (see running GMC Savana sales) finished out this small segment with a 17 percent slide to 7,196 units.

Sales Numbers - Full-Size Vans - Q3 2023 - USA

MODEL Q3 23 / Q3 22 Q3 23 Q3 22 Q3 23 SHARE Q3 22 SHARE YTD 23 / YTD 22 YTD 23 YTD 22
FORD TRANSIT +24.93% 31,389 25,126 37% 33% +44.69% 92,523 63,946
RAM PROMASTER +34.07% 22,446 16,742 26% 22% +43.56% 60,340 42,031
CHEVROLET EXPRESS -15.07% 12,724 14,981 15% 20% -16.38% 30,546 36,528
FORD E-SERIES +13.38% 10,982 9,686 13% 13% +37.25% 30,502 22,223
GMC SAVANA -17.11% 7,196 8,681 8% 12% +4.29% 19,261 18,469
TOTAL +12.66% 84,737 75,216 +27.28% 233,172 183,197

From a segment share standpoint, the Savana earned an eight percent share, down four percentage points year-over-year. The Transit led with a solid 37 percent segment share, up four percentage points, followed by the ProMaster with a 26 percent share, also up four percentage points. The Express posted a 15 percent share, down five percentage points, while the E-Series maintained 13 percent share.

Combined sales of the two GM vans, the Chevy Express and GMC Savana, totaled 19,920 units for a 23 percent segment share, putting The General in third (and last) place overall, behind Ram and Ford.

Sales Numbers - GM Vans - Q3 2023 - USA

MODEL Q3 23 / Q3 22 Q3 23 Q3 22 YTD 23 / YTD 22 YTD 23 YTD 22
CHEVROLET EXPRESS -15.07% 12,724 14,981 -16.38% 30,546 36,528
GMC SAVANA -17.11% 7,196 8,681 +4.29% 19,261 18,469
TOTAL -15.81% 19,920 23,662 -9.44% 49,807 54,997

Meanwhile, combined sales of the two Ford models, the Transit and E-Series, totaled 42,371 units to give The Blue Oval a dominant 50 percent segment share, accounting for half of all sales in this space.

Sales Numbers - Ford Vans - Q3 2023 - USA

MODEL Q3 23 / Q3 22 Q3 23 Q3 22 YTD 23 / YTD 22 YTD 23 YTD 22
FORD TRANSIT +24.93% 31,389 25,126 +44.69% 92,523 63,946
FORD E-SERIES +13.38% 10,982 9,686 +37.25% 30,502 22,223
TOTAL +21.71% 42,371 34,812 +42.77% 123,025 86,169

The full-size van segment grew 13 percent to 84,737 units in Q3 2023, meaning Savana sales siginificantly underperformed the segment average.

The GM Authority Take

GMC Savana sales lagged the rest of the field, turning in the worst performance among the four other entries. Even combining sales of the Savana with its corporate twin, the Chevy Express, wasn’t enough to pull GM up from last place, as both models were the only ones in the red this quarter, each losing significant segment share.

None of this is surprising. As we continue to note, the Savana (and Express) is an old vehicle that traces its roots to the 1990s, with the duo remaining the oldest models in their segment by a wide margin. They’re also the oldest GM vehicles currently in production. Meanwhile, the field is offering a substantially more modern and attractive product. To add insult to injury, GM recently eliminated the turbo-diesel baby Duramax engine, which was one of the key differentiators (and reasons for buying) the Savana. With the diesel gone, there’s now not that much reason for fleets or retail buyers to opt for either of the two GM twins. A much-needed overhaul would substantially help GM in this space.

About GMC Savana

The 2023 GMC Savana represents the 20th model year of the nameplate. For the 2023 model year, the Savana and Express continued with minimal changes, although both dropped the aforementioned 2.8L I4 LWN turbo-diesel Duramax engine option.

The 2024 GMC Savana arrives with two new transmissions as the only changes for the Passenger Van, Cargo Van and Cutaway configurations. However, the 2024 GMC Savana Cargo Van drops the naturally aspirated 6.6L V8 L8T gasoline engine, making the atmospheric 4.3L V6 LV1 gasoline engine the only remaining powerplant offered on that model. Additionally, 2024 GMC Savana infotainment system upgrades are no longer available, leaving the 2024 Savana 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.

As first reported by GM Authority, General Motors’ initially planned to keep the Express and Savana in their current forms until the 2023 model year. This timeframe was then extended to 2025. Now, GM is planning to redesign the Chevy Express for the 2027 model year with ICE powerplants. It’s currently unclear whether the next-gen Express will be joined by a next-gen GMC Savana. Additionally, all-electric replacements are rumored for a 2026 debut.

About The Numbers

Vince grew up in a GM family, likes manuals, and thinks this is the golden age of the automobile.

Vince Brown

Vince grew up in a GM family, likes manuals, and thinks this is the golden age of the automobile.

View Comments

  • Why not just get out of the market of they aren't going to compete? I think GM is in dire need of new leadership. They no longer understand the market.

  • They simply don't want to build them. There is demand, but GM seems intent on doing everything it can to stifle that demand. Just handing the market off, hoping people will wait for an affordable, usable Brightdrop replacement? Lol

    • Fleets don't have time to hope or wait. And after three years of yanking everyone around it's surprising this van is selling in any kind of numbers.

      Makes no sense that GM would Oldsmobile a product they had buyers begging for. But GM did, and buyers like us who need to get work done are finished with the bull #.

      • It's way past high time to come out with a new van. How about a diesel or gas hybrid in a bright drop body? That way they are competitive and there is driver comfort unlike the ProMaster or transit. Their seating positions suck.

  • sure sales are down, they deleted diesel motors and V8 gas motors, and to get a new good luck , its a waiting game
    and now they are deleting Bluetooth feature
    they have a good thing going with their cargo vans, a good majority of trades man want these trucks and they are reliable

  • They haven't kept up with Ford and Chrysler products when it comes to the tranist style cargo van GM really needs to step up there game there loosening money.

  • GM would have sold a lot of vans, .... if only they built some! I would have loved to replace my 1996 Express, but I wasted about two years waiting... then gave up. After 50 years owning GM vans, I no longer have a van nor want one anymore.

  • Of course, it's in last place. You can't GET one. Even my dealer warned me. So I changed my mind about getting one but especially since it's only available in a V-6. Instead I saved thousands of dollars by changing my mind and spent only a fraction of that fixing my old truck up Good for another 10 years as a diesel.