Chicago Auto Show: Chevrolet unveils small City Express cargo van
General Motors Co. is getting into the small commercial van business, unveiling the Chevrolet City Express at the Chicago Auto Show on Thursday.
The small van, designed to be easily parked in a dense city setting, is to go on sale this fall. GM said the van’s target market is urban business owners and fleet managers who are looking for just enough cargo space with low operating costs.
Chevrolet said the van will have 122.7 cubic feet of customizable cargo space and an estimated payload capacity of 1,500 pounds.
The automaker also said it will be easy to drive in traffic, boasting a turning diameter of only 36.7 feet.
The smaller size of the vehicle and its 131 horsepower 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine will make the City Express more fuel efficient than a bigger van.
“The 2015 City Express offers a smaller, more efficient choice for businesses that don’t need the cargo volume or other capabilities of a full-size van,” said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president of GM Fleet and Commercial. “It is an easy-to-maneuver van that makes the most of its compact dimensions with clever features, allowing business owners to maximize its space -- and their resources -- with a vehicle sized for their needs.”
The van is based on Nissan’s NV200 vehicle and will be built by the Japanese automaker for GM at a plant in Mexico.
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