Chevrolet Express
Encyclopedia
The Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana are full-size
van
s from General Motors
. They replaced the Chevrolet Van
and GMC Vandura in 1996. The Express and Savana currently hold 44.8% of the full-size van market in the United States, just behind rival Ford's
E-Series
. The Express outsells the Savana by more than 3 to 1.
After 2003, the Express and Savana had updated sheetmetal similar to the GMT800 light trucks and SUVs, and at the same time, fitted with the LS engines. In 2004 Stability Control (Stabilitrak) 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 offer the E85
Flexfuel Vortec 5.3L V8 engine in both the 2008 Express 1500 Work Van and Passenger Van. The 6.6L Duramax
Diesel V8 was added as an option for 2006.
The cargo variety of the Express/Savana is popular as a work vehicle, often used by electrician
s, plumber
s, 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/Savana is available as a civilian vehicle, ambulance, and police accident van. The police van it is used by the Police of Amsterdam
.
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 vehicle
, ambulance
, shuttle bus, or school bus
. Both the cargo and passenger models, as well as the cutaway versions, often serve as the basis for conversion van
s, motorhome
s, and wheelchair accessible vans.
There was a limited edition model of the Chevy Express passenger variety, named the LT. This type was a GM factory made conversion that included a Bose sound system, two flip down flat panel television
monitors, a VCR, leather
seats, aluminum wheels, extra trim, and an advanced GM stereo system with CD
and cassette. This model was discontinued around the year 2003 and was meant as a trial sale.
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.
Full size van
A full size van is a marketing term used in North America for a van larger than a minivan, that is characterized by a large boxy appearance, a short hood, and very heavy cargo/passenger hauling capacity...
van
Van
A van is a kind of vehicle used for transporting goods or groups of people.In British English usage, it can be either specially designed or based on a saloon or sedan car, the latter type often including derivatives with open backs...
s from General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
. They replaced the Chevrolet Van
Chevrolet Van
The Chevrolet and GMC G-Series vans were made by General Motors for North America. They are in the same vehicle class as the Ford Econoline van and the Dodge Ram Van.The term "Chevrolet van" also refers to the entire series of vans sold by Chevrolet...
and GMC Vandura in 1996. The Express and Savana currently hold 44.8% of the full-size van market in the United States, just behind rival Ford's
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
E-Series
Ford E-Series
The Ford E-Series, formerly known as the Econoline or Club Wagon, is a line of full-size vans and truck chassis from the Ford Motor Company. The E-Series is related to the Ford F-Series line of pickup trucks. The line was introduced in 1961 as a compact van and its descendants are still produced...
. The Express outsells the Savana by more than 3 to 1.
After 2003, the Express and Savana had updated sheetmetal similar to the GMT800 light trucks and SUVs, and at the same time, fitted with the LS engines. In 2004 Stability Control (Stabilitrak) 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 offer the E85
E85
E85 is an abbreviation for an ethanol fuel blend of up to 85% denatured ethanol fuel and gasoline or other hydrocarbon by volume. E85 is commonly used by flex-fuel vehicles in the US, Canada, and Europe. Some of the benefits of E85 over conventional gasoline powered vehicles include the potential...
Flexfuel Vortec 5.3L V8 engine in both the 2008 Express 1500 Work Van and Passenger Van. The 6.6L Duramax
Duramax
Duramax may refer to:*Duramax V8 engine, a turbocharged V-8 Diesel engine designed by Isuzu and built by General Motors*Isuzu 6H Engine, a 6 cylinder commercial Diesel engine, re-branded "Duramax" for GM trucks...
Diesel V8 was added as an option for 2006.
The cargo variety of the Express/Savana is popular as a work vehicle, often used by electrician
Electrician
An electrician is a tradesman specializing in electrical wiring of buildings, stationary machines and related equipment. Electricians may be employed in the installation of new electrical components or the maintenance and repair of existing electrical infrastructure. Electricians may also...
s, plumber
Plumber
A plumber is a tradesperson who specializes in installing and maintaining systems used for potable water, sewage, and drainage in plumbing systems. The term dates from ancient times, and is related to the Latin word for lead, "plumbum." A person engaged in fixing metaphorical "leaks" may also be...
s, and others needing to haul a variety of large items. In this way, it is the North American equivalent of the ubiquitous white vans
White van man
"White van man" is a term popularised in the United Kingdom by the journalist Jonathan Leake, then transport editor at The Sunday Times, to describe drivers of light commercial vehicles such as the Ford Transit....
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. In the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
the Express/Savana is available as a civilian vehicle, ambulance, and police accident van. The police van it is used by the Police of Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
.
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 vehicle
Tow truck
A tow truck is a vehicle used to transport motor vehicles to another location , or to recover vehicles which are no longer on a drivable surface.Towing services are generally provided by an emergency road service operator...
, ambulance
Ambulance
An ambulance is a vehicle for transportation of sick or injured people to, from or between places of treatment for an illness or injury, and in some instances will also provide out of hospital medical care to the patient...
, shuttle bus, or school bus
School bus
A school bus is a type of bus designed and manufactured for student transport: carrying children and teenagers to and from school and school events...
. Both the cargo and passenger models, as well as the cutaway versions, often serve as the basis for conversion van
Conversion van
A Conversion van Is a full-size cargo van that is sent to third-party companies to be outfitted with various luxuries for road trips and camping.-History:...
s, motorhome
Motorhome
A motorhome is a type of self-propelled recreational vehicle or RV which offers living accommodation combined with a vehicle engine. The term motorhome is most commonly used in the UK, US, and Canada.-Features:...
s, and wheelchair accessible vans.
There was a limited edition model of the Chevy Express passenger variety, named the LT. This type was a GM factory made conversion that included a Bose sound system, two flip down flat panel television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
monitors, a VCR, leather
Leather
Leather is a durable and flexible material created via the tanning of putrescible animal rawhide and skin, primarily cattlehide. It can be produced through different manufacturing processes, ranging from cottage industry to heavy industry.-Forms:...
seats, aluminum wheels, extra trim, and an advanced GM stereo system with CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
and cassette. This model was discontinued around the year 2003 and was meant as a trial sale.
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.