The Chevrolet Express and its mechanically identical twinGMC Savana are full-size vans from General Motors. They replaced the Chevrolet Van and GMC Vandura in 1995. The Express and Savana, known as the GMT600 platform, was an all new design from the previous generation van, which was a uni-body design dating from the late 60's. The GMT600 featured full body on frame construction, the new central-port injection V6 and V8 engines, dual front air bags, and greatly improved ride and handling from its GMT400-derived chassis. The new body on frame construction allowed expanded usages in the cut-away applications. After 2003, the Express and Savana had updated front-end sheet metal similar to the GMT800light trucks and GMT360 SUVs, and were fitted with the LS V8 engines. The body received LH side cargo doors. This redesign was designated as the GMT610. In 2004, Stability Control was added to all passenger vans. In 2008, the interior was updated and side impact roof airbags were standard on all passenger models. They also offered the E85Flexfuel Vortec 5.3L V8 engine in both the 2008 Express 1500 Work Van and Passenger Van. The 6.6L Duramax V8 engine Diesel was added as an option for 2006. In 2017, a new 2.8L Duramax Diesel engine was added. In 2018, a new 6.0L V8 gaseous CNG/LPG capable engine was added. In 2018, conventional sealed beam headlights were discontinued for the base models, and the composite headlights found on higher trims became standard. For 2021, a 6.6L V8 engine introduced in the 2020 Silverado/Sierra HD was added, replacing both 6.0L V8 engines.
Variants
First Generation (1995-present)
Facelift (2003-)
Chevy Express Cargo
The cargo variety of the Express/Savana is popular as a work vehicle, often used by electricians, plumbers, and others needing to haul a variety of large items. In this way, it is the North American equivalent of the ubiquitous white vans in the United Kingdom. In the Netherlands, the Express is in common use as an ambulance, although its popularity is declining because of the high fuel consumption and small interior space compared to European vans.
Chevy Express Passenger
The Express/Savana is also available as a passenger van, seating 8 to 15 passengers, depending on the model, and is often used as a tow truck, ambulance, shuttle bus, or school bus. Both the cargo and passenger models, as well as the cutaway van versions, often serve as the basis for conversion vans, motorhomes, and wheelchair accessible vans. As of mid-2014, half-ton Chevy Express vans and its cousin the GMC Savana have been discontinued. It was replaced by a Nissan-GM partnership badged Chevy City Express in the U.S. Only the 3/4-ton and 1-ton full size vans will be available as previous.
Chevy Express Concept
Chevrolet Express was also the name of a concept car first shown in 1987. It was a turbine powered, drive-by-wire car made to show the possibilities of future limited-access highways. It's not related to the production model.
History
First generation: 1995 -
Second generation: VSS-T
2012 recall
On August 14, 2012, GM issued a recall for 10,315 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans made from 2003-2004 in 20 cold weather U.S. states and in Canada because road salt may have corroded the fueling pipe. There are 9,389 vans recalled in the United States and 926 in Canada. The affected vans have "60/40" swing-out driver side doors.
1500 discontinuation
General Motors discontinued production of the 1/2-ton 1500 series vans in June 2014. Sources cite low production numbers and CAFE requirements for the halt. With the end of the 1500 model, unique features such as the all wheel drive and driver's side passenger doors have been removed from the options list. The Chevrolet City Express compact cargo van, a badge-engineeredNissan NV200, has taken the place of the 1500 van but was discontinued quickly after poor sales. At the same time, the Vortec 4300 engine was phased out of production. The full-sized van is still offered as the Chevrolet Express Cargo and the GMC Savana Cargo with a larger payload.
