Chevy Express Sales Fall 38 Percent, Slipping To Fourth Place During Q4 2023

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

Chevrolet Express Sales - Q4 2023 - United States

In the United States, Chevrolet Express deliveries totaled 10,114 units in Q4 2023, a decrease of about 38 percent compared to 16,360 units sold in Q4 2022.

During the complete 2023 calendar year, Express sales decreased about 23 percent to 40,660 units.
MODEL Q4 2023 / Q4 2022 Q4 2023 Q4 2022YTD 2023 / YTD 2022 YTD 2023 YTD 2022
EXPRESS -38.18% 10,114 16,360 -23.12% 40,660 52,888

Chevrolet Express Sales - Q4 2023 - Canada

In Canada, Chevrolet Express deliveries totaled 980 units in Q4 2023, an increase of about 74 percent compared to 564 units sold in Q4 2022.

During the complete 2023 calendar year, Express sales increased about 57 percent to 3,856 units.
MODEL Q4 2023 / Q4 2022 Q4 2023 Q4 2022YTD 2023 / YTD 2022 YTD 2023 YTD 2022
EXPRESS +73.76% 980 564 +56.81% 3,856 2,459

Chevrolet Express Sales - Q4 2023 - Mexico

In Mexico, Chevrolet Express deliveries totaled 44 units in Q4 2023, an increase of about 193 percent compared to 15 units sold in Q4 2022.

During the complete 2023 calendar year, Express sales increased about 164 percent to 304 units.
MODEL Q4 2023 / Q4 2022 Q4 2023 Q4 2022YTD 2023 / YTD 2022 YTD 2023 YTD 2022
EXPRESS +193.33% 44 15 +164.35% 304 115

Competitive Sales Comparison (USA)

Chevy Express sales during the fourth quarter of 2023 saw the full-size van slip to fourth place in its segment when ranked by sales volume. The Ford Transit (see running Ford Transit sales) kept the top spot, as it has for a while now, with sales nearly flat at 28,814 units. The Ram ProMaster remained in second, like it has for at least over two years, posting a 13 percent bump to 21,323 units. The Ford E-Series (see running Ford E-Series sales), The Blue Oval’s second entry, moved up to third place with a 25 percent jump to 12,455 units. The Express (see running Chevy Express sales) fell to fourth with a 38 percent slide to 10,114 units, joining the GMC Savana (see running GMC Savana sales), its corporate twin, to finish out the list with a 64 percent drop to just 2,527 units.

Sales Numbers - Full-Size Vans - Q4 2023 - USA

MODEL Q4 23 / Q4 22 Q4 23 Q4 22 Q4 23 SHARE Q4 22 SHARE YTD 23 / YTD 22 YTD 23 YTD 22
FORD TRANSIT -0.42% 28,814 28,936 38% 36% +30.64% 121,337 92,882
RAM PROMASTER +12.79% 21,323 18,905 28% 23% +34.01% 81,663 60,936
FORD E-SERIES +25.47% 12,455 9,927 17% 12% +33.61% 42,957 32,150
CHEVROLET EXPRESS -38.18% 10,114 16,360 13% 20% -23.12% 40,660 52,888
GMC SAVANA -64.41% 2,527 7,100 3% 9% -14.79% 21,788 25,569
TOTAL -7.38% 75,233 81,228 +16.63% 308,405 264,425

From a segment share standpoint, the Express earned a 13 percent share, down seven percentage points year-over-year. The Transit led with a 38 percent segment share, up two percentage points, followed by the ProMaster with a 28 percent share, up five percentage points, and the E-Series with a 17 percent share, also up five percentage points. Meanwhile, the Savana earned just a three percent share, down six percentage points.

Combined sales of GM’s two full-size vans, the Chevy Express and GMC Savana, totaled 12,641 units. That’s less than the 12,724 deliveries recorded by the Express alone during the preceding quarter. The duo earned a combined 16 percent segment share, keeping The General in last place behind Ford and Ram.

Sales Numbers - GM Vans - Q4 2023 - USA

MODEL Q4 23 / Q4 22 Q4 23 Q4 22 YTD 23 / YTD 22 YTD 23 YTD 22
CHEVROLET EXPRESS -38.18% 10,114 16,360 -23.12% 40,660 52,888
GMC SAVANA -64.41% 2,527 7,100 -14.79% 21,788 25,569
TOTAL -46.12% 12,641 23,460 -20.40% 62,448 78,457

Meanwhile, combined sales of the two Ford models, the Transit and E-Series, totaled 41,269 deliveries, giving The Blue Oval a commanding 55 percent segment share, about three-and-a-half times that of the GM duo.

Sales Numbers - Ford Vans - Q4 2023 - USA

MODEL Q4 23 / Q4 22 Q4 23 Q4 22 YTD 23 / YTD 22 YTD 23 YTD 22
FORD TRANSIT -0.42% 28,814 28,936 +30.64% 121,337 92,882
FORD E-SERIES +25.47% 12,455 9,927 +33.61% 42,957 32,150
TOTAL +6.19% 41,269 38,863 +31.40% 164,294 125,032

The full-size van segment, which includes passenger, cargo, and cutaway/chassis cab models, slipped seven percent to 75,233 units in Q4 2023, meaning Express sales significantly underperformed the segment average.

The GM Authority Take

Consistently disappointing sales performance of the Chevy Express has usually been caused by the Express and its GMC-badged twin, the Savana, being old vehicles tracing their 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. But during the fourth quarter, the UAW strike at the GM Wentzville plant had a negative impact on sales, as GM’s full-size vans finished last, outsold by cross-town rivals Ford and Ram.

But GM is rumored to be working on an infusion into this space with a one-two punch strategy, with an all-electric replacement followed by redesigning the ICE-powered Chevy Express. We expect these projects to help Chevy Express sales rebound and potentially even take the sales crown from Ford.

About Chevrolet Express

The 2023 Chevy Express represents the 20th 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 transmission options – 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.

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

  • GM did that to themselves, it’s a self-inflicted wound. They had plenty of willing buyers but for some reason GM wouldn’t supply them. Plus, someone made the stupid decision to eliminate the large engine in favor a a small 6-cylinder that no one wanted! Sound familiar? Look at all of the 4-cylinder Silverados just sitting on lots with big discounts that no one wants. GM needs new leadership now!

  • I have made a good living with these vans in the seafood industry for the last 38 years . These trucks are so far superior to other brands that I have watched almost all my competitors switch from ford, toyota and dodge to these . We use them as 4 and 6 pallet cutouts with refer units and they last easily 500K miles . Ever since covid, GM under poor leadership has neglected this vehicle and the customers who purchase them for an unexplained reason. I had to wait 2 years to get 2 new ones and the transmissions aren't as good as previous . We used to get 250-even 500K out of them and 2 out of the last 4 have had failures @ 75K and 125K. The fords are ugly as sin and unreliable but everywhere. It seems GM just gave up even though they have a better product ! Maybe the false hope of EVs is the cause -SMH

  • I’m sorry I didn’t purchase one in 2017 that had everything I wanted on it besides the color.
    It was white, which I like but after having a white Astro van and a white Silverado that the paint peeled off I was reluctant for another in white. Also it was in Stockton Ca, and I’m in San Diego.

    • Gary , I'll be waiting 2yrs April 29,2024 for my extended 8cyl van ! Meanwhile $ has skyrocketed about 7K ! I live in R.I. Where are you located ? Also , how did your dealership handle the $ increase ?

      • Yes I had to pay the increase in price as it was originally ordered as a 2022 model. It's all about the dealer. You have to find one where you are first in line and one that sells enough volume to get the needed allocations. I'm in southern Wisconsin.

  • "We expect these projects to help Chevy Express sales rebound and potentially even take the sales crown from Ford."

    As long as the ordering system remains a basket case, and they don't offer customers what they need (V8 with heavy-duty capacity)... the Express isn't taking sales from anyone.

  • So Ford Transit and Ram Promaster built on unibody frame are the 2 best selling vans commanding 2/3 share.
    Yes people want a lighter fuel efficient vehicle. Vans are the actual business vehicles
    since they have 3 times the volumetric capacity of pickup truck while costing the same price.