The Chevrolet Express Van Is Older Than A Third Of The U.S. Population
When the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger were discontinued in December, it marked the end of one of the longest-running vehicle platforms, which they all shared.
The Challenger’s body went largely unchanged since 2008, while the 300 and Charger dated back to 2004 and 2005, respectively, with just a single mid-life update in 2011.
But they’ve got nothing on the grandaddy of the American passenger vehicle industry.
The Chevrolet Express van and its GMC Savana twin are rolling into 2024 at the ripe old age of 29 or 22, depending on how you want to count it.
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Both were launched in 1996 and facelifted in 2003, but have soldiered through ever since. General Motors hasn’t even bothered to update their press photos since 2016.
More than 120 million Americans have been born since the first ones hit showrooms.
They’ve had their share of mechanical upgrades over the years and have been equipped with more than a dozen different engines, but today are available with a choice of two: A 4.3-liter V6 and a 6.6-liter V8. The larger engine is rated at 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque and the maximum payload capacity is 4,280 lbs.
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Cargo and passenger versions are offered in 2500 and 3500 heavy duty trims with standard or extended wheelbases. Prices for the Express start at $39,895 and the Savana at $42,595. One nifty feature is the choice between a sliding rear side passenger door or split swing-open doors, depending on your intended use case.
Don’t go looking for a touchscreen infotainment system, but you can get an AM/FM stereo with “MP3 playback capability,” while Bluetooth and Sirius/XM are on the options list. High tech driver aids are pretty much limited to cruise control, blind spot monitoring and rear backup camera and sensors.
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Of course, the Ford E-Series platform is even older, dating back to 1991. But the van body was discontinued after 2014 and replaced by the more modern Transit, leaving the E-Series as only a stripped chassis and cutaway. The Missouri-built Express and Savana also come in the latter configuration, which unlocks a 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 option.
GM sold more than 60,000 combined units in 2023 and hasn’t announced any plans to end production of the vans, which should carry them through until at least 2026.
They do have some competition in the company now, however, with the launch of GM’s Brightdrop electric van brand. But with less than 500 of them delivered last year, they have a long way to go before they earn their seniority in the company, let alone the country.
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