Following an initial debut for the 1996 model year and a modest facelift for the 2003 model year, the 2026 Chevy Express will mark an incredible 31 years of production for the venerable full-size van. As expected, the Express will continue to serve as an essential component of GM’s commercial vehicle lineup, despite relatively few updates over the years. Now, GM Authority has learned when production of the 2026 Chevy Express will officially get underway.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the start of regular production (SORP) for the 2026 Chevy Express is currently set for November 14th, 2025. Dealers will be able to start configuring the 2026 Express online and saving orders on August 21st, 2025, with the first orders being processed on October 9th.
Customers can spec the 2026 Chevy Express in three distinct configurations, including the Cargo Van configuration, Passenger Van configuration, and Cutaway configuration. Under the hood, you’ll find one of two powertrain options, both of which run on gasoline. The base engine is the naturally aspirated 4.3L V6 LV1, rated 276 horsepower and 298 pound-feet of torque, while the naturally aspirated 6.6L V8 L8T is rated at 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are paired with GM’s eight-speed automatic transmission.
As covered previously, the towing capacity for the Chevy Express depends on the configuration. Extended wheelbase models equipped with the V6 engine can tow up to 6,300 pounds, while regular wheelbase models can handle 6,700 pounds. The V8 option dramatically boosts these figures, with a maximum towing capacity of 9,200 pounds for extended wheelbase models and 9,600 pounds for regular wheelbase models in Passenger Van configuration. Cargo Van variants are rated with a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds when equipped with the V8 engine.
The Chevy Express remains a popular choice in the commercial vehicle market. Notably, the Passenger Van variant has become increasingly difficult to find in dealer inventories across the United States, with fewer than 135 units available nationwide as of April 26th.
Production of the 2026 Chevy Express will continue to take place at the GM Wentzville Assembly Plant in Missouri, while the Cutaway variant is assembled at the Navistar facility in Springfield, Ohio.
Comments
Great! I’m interested in the GMC version as I think it’s better quality van. Hope it comes in the diesel inline 6.
Same EXACT van with different trim that run down the same assembly line.
I have never seen a GMC van with paint peeling in the front area. I see Chevy vans like that all the time.
Same primer, same white paint formulation.
I have two Express and two Savana sitting here. They both do it. At least in the most common shade of white. The maroon Express has never peeled.