Why was the Chevy City Express discontinued?
The Chevy City Express, a compact cargo van produced by General Motors, was discontinued in 2018 after just four years on the market. The decision to discontinue the City Express was primarily driven by declining sales and a shift in consumer preferences towards larger, more versatile cargo vans.
Declining Sales and Lack of Demand
The Chevy City Express was introduced in 2014 as a response to the growing popularity of compact cargo vans in the United States. However, the vehicle struggled to gain traction in the market, with sales declining each year. In 2017, Chevy sold just 8,371 City Express models, a significant drop from the 13,793 units sold in 2014. This lack of demand, coupled with the dominance of larger cargo van models like the Ford Transit and Ram ProMaster, ultimately led to the decision to discontinue the City Express.
Shift in Consumer Preferences
The discontinuation of the Chevy City Express also reflects a broader shift in consumer preferences towards larger, more versatile cargo vans. While compact vans like the City Express offered advantages in terms of maneuverability and fuel efficiency, many businesses and consumers preferred the increased cargo capacity and towing capabilities of full-size models. This trend has been observed across the automotive industry, with manufacturers focusing more on developing and marketing larger, more capable cargo van options.
Overlap with Other GM Models
Another factor that contributed to the discontinuation of the Chevy City Express was the overlap with other GM models, such as the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size cargo vans. These larger models offered similar features and capabilities to the City Express, but with greater cargo space and towing capacity, making them a more attractive option for many customers.
Conclusion
The discontinuation of the Chevy City Express was a strategic decision by General Motors, driven by declining sales, a shift in consumer preferences towards larger cargo vans, and the overlap with other GM models. While the City Express offered some advantages, it ultimately failed to gain significant market share in the highly competitive cargo van segment.
Are Chevy City Express vans reliable?
Edmunds' Expert Rating
Chevrolet's 2018 City Express won't win any performance accolades, but it'll win over the minds of small-business owners looking for a reliable, economical and easy-to-drive cargo van. It's small enough to not get in the way when you have to make a delivery or repair.
What is the Chevy version of the NV200?
Chevrolet City Express
The Chevrolet City Express is a badge engineered Nissan NV200 for the United States and Canadian markets marketed by Chevrolet.
Why was Nissan NV200 discontinued?
The decision to stop production comes as Nissan shared that sales did not reach market share goals.
How many miles per gallon does a Chevy City Express get?
EPA-estimated fuel economy stands at 25 mpg combined (24 city/26 highway).
Is the Chevy City Express a Nissan?
The van was a rebadged Nissan NV200, and that model will continue.
What is Ford's version of the Chevy Express?
Ford Transit
The Ford Transit is a versatile full-size van which offers convenient technology and safety features, including SYNC infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, power sliding doors, and much more.
What is the life expectancy of a Chevy Express van?
With proper maintenance and regular servicing, these vans can easily last 200,000 to 300,000 miles, and sometimes even more. Many of our customers have reported using their Chevy Express vans for well over a decade, making them a solid investment for both personal and commercial use.
Is the Chevy City Express the same as the Nissan NV200?
The City Express is a "badge engineered" NV200.
When did Chevy stop making the Express van?
In February 2024, GM abandoned its plans to produce an electric full-size van; the status of the GMT620 redesign is also unknown, leaving the model line without a replacement beyond the 2025–2026 model year.
Did Chevy stop making City Express?
General Motors has discontinued the Chevrolet City Express, a small work van which the automaker has marketed under a partnership with Nissan Motor Co. since 2014.
