GM will sell rebadged Nissan NV200 vans as the Chevrolet City Express

[Zane]

This sounds interesting. They must be feeling the pressure from Ford and the Transit Connect.

 

I'll be driving the NV200 at the end of next month and will have a great write-up as a preview of the new City Express!

 

 

DETROIT and NASHVILLE, Tenn. - General Motors Co. and Nissan announced today the companies have signed an agreement for Nissan to produce a small cargo vehicle that GM will sell in the United States and Canada.

GM will procure the vehicle from Nissan and distribute it through the Chevrolet dealer network. GM expects the Chevrolet City Express, based on the Nissan NV200, to be available for sale in the fall of 2014.

"Our fleet customers have asked us for an entry in the commercial small van segment, so this addition to the Chevrolet portfolio will strengthen our position with fleets and our commercial customers," said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president of GM Fleet and Commercial Sales.

Joe Castelli, Nissan vice president, commercial vehicles and fleet added, "Working with partners to expand markets for our innovative products enhances Nissan’s growth and manufacturing efficiency by leveraging our capacity to meet growing demand in this space."

Nissan currently sells a version of the vehicle as the NV200 in numerous markets globally, including the United States and Canada. The Nissan NV200, a spacious-yet-compact commercial vehicle, is a previous winner of the International Van of the Year Award. Cost of ownership for the vehicle is among the lowest in the class due to low running costs, the high efficiency of the engines and drivetrains and a safety structure that helps to minimize crash damage.

The price of the Chevrolet City Express will be announced later.

[BigBlueLB756]

Where, O Great One, will it be manufactured?

[MikeNH]

Where, O Great One, will it be manufactured?

I read elsewhere that is will be built in Mexico.

 

I don't get why Nissan would agree to build a model that essentially competes with it's own. I will say, even though it'd be superficial that I'd much rather see the Chevy version pull taxi duty over Nissan in NYC. I know it's the same van but I have issue with a major American city not giving preference to an American brand, be it the Ford Transit Connect (made in Turkey I think) or this Chevy version.

[Zane]

My wild guess is that they've decided to market to different customer bases. Maybe Nissan will take the taxi biz and let Chevy have the commercial side of things. Or some other combination.

[MikeNH]

I also read on another article Nissan did it to ensure the factory in Mexico will have enough work to do.

[truckofwinandawesome]

and you know the sheer irony of this little partnership (for me at least)? the Nissan Dealer in Dickson is NEXT DOOR to Alexander Chevy-Buick-GMC! so if the GM techs get stumped on a problem on one of these Rebadged NV200 Vans, they can just walk right next door to Victory Nissan and ask the Nissan Techs!

[Z45]

Not the first time Chevrolet has done something like this. Back in 1972 they partnered with Isuzu and introduced the Chevrolet LUV pickup that was an rebadged Isuzu Faster.

['01LS1]

I know these are not commercial like the sprinter/nv200, I am surprised they are not doing something with these guys.

http://www.vpgautos.com/

 

I used to haul them, but they are shut down now due to funds. They have orders for a couple thousand & they are being used for

taxi's & municipalities in addition to handicap access vans. They are also built at the old Hummer plant in Mishawaka, IN.

[KMGZ400]

I dont know about these little NV200's, but I just purchased a fullsize NV3500 van last week for work... out of the E series and express vans, it is the best. The express is an extreme P.O.S. and the econoline is decent just has outdated engines and trannys. chevy needs a new updated van.

[Zane]

I dont know about these little NV200's, but I just purchased a fullsize NV3500 van last week for work... out of the E series and express vans, it is the best. The express is an extreme P.O.S. and the econoline is decent just has outdated engines and trannys. chevy needs a new updated van.

I agree. I've looked at the new Nissan full-size vans and they look the nicest out of all the OEM options. I'm still waiting to drive one. Next month, I'll get a chance to try the NV200.

[truckofwinandawesome]

I know these are not commercial like the sprinter/nv200, I am surprised they are not doing something with these guys.

http://www.vpgautos.com/

 

I used to haul them, but they are shut down now due to funds. They have orders for a couple thousand & they are being used for

taxi's & municipalities in addition to handicap access vans. They are also built at the old Hummer plant in Mishawaka, IN.

 

you mean THIS interesting Handi Van:

 

 

 

it looks to me that VPG was Dumpster Diving in Ford's Previous Generation parts bins.

[Zane]

http://www.gm-trucks.com/news/business/2013/05/16/nissan-nv200-to-be-also-sold-as-chevrolet-city-express/

 

Here's the crappy mock up photo they provided..

['01LS1]

 

 

 

you mean THIS interesting Handi Van:

 

 

 

it looks to me that VPG was Dumpster Diving in Ford's Previous Generation parts bins.

 

That they were...mostly a Ford product labeled under VPG. Was odd going to the Hummer plant & seeing Ford. But most any of the Ford stuff could be swapped out to GM stuff. The '13's look somewhat better than the 12's, but for sure are not going to win any awards on appearance.

 

Never the less, there is a rumor of someone else taking over the VPG thing to keep it going & the people working.

[KMGZ400]

I agree. I've looked at the new Nissan full-size vans and they look the nicest out of all the OEM options. I'm still waiting to drive one. Next month, I'll get a chance to try the NV200.

 

I have only driven my NV3500 a few miles so far, I will be driving it a lot more next week. it drives amazing from what ive felt, great power and ride, its way nicer to drive then my 2003 silverado. Ill throw some pics up next week

[GMCDriver1]

bring back the Astro