Nissan Will Build ‘City Express’ Compact Van for Chevrolet

11 years, 6 months ago - 22 May 2013, Wall Street Journal

General Motors Co. and Nissan Motor Co. said they agreed to an arrangement under which Nissan will build a small cargo van for Chevrolet called the City Express, which is expected to go on sale late next year.

General Motors plans to sell the van through its Chevy dealership network in the U.S. and Canada. The vehicle is based on the Nissan NV200. The move in part reflects changes in the commercial-van market that have begun to favor smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.

It also suggests General Motors needed a quick way to match the small Transit Connect vans sold by rival Ford Motor Co. Developing its own new compact-van design would have taken longer.

“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 fleet and commercial sales for GM.

The companies said the price of the City Express will be announced later.