A recent patent filing by General Motors (GM) has ignited speculation about the potential successor to the Chevy Express van, which has been in production for nearly three decades. The patent, published on May 6, 2025, under USPTO patent number D1,073,535 S, features drawings of a van that doesn’t match any existing GM model.
The Patent Filing
The drawings, originally submitted on May 23, 2023, depict a van that appears to be smaller than the Brightdrop and GM Wuling Yangguang EV in China. GM Authority, which uncovered the patent, notes that the vehicle seems distinct from the proposed Buick electric minivan concept in China. The inventors listed are Logan J. Phillips, Junglim Huh, and Namwoo Kim.
Potential Successor to Chevy Express
The Chevy Express and its twin, the GMC Savana, have been outpaced by newer European-style vans like the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ram ProMaster, and Ford Transit. Despite this, they remain popular among tradespeople due to their familiar platform and numerous upfitting options. A similarly sized electric van with modern drivetrain options could potentially replace the aging Chevy Express while maintaining its upfitting benefits.
Speculation and Possibilities
While the patent drawings don’t necessarily confirm an upcoming replacement for the Chevy Express, they do suggest that GM is exploring new electric van designs. The rendering of a potential 2026 Chevy Express, created using the patent drawings, bears some resemblance to the Kia PV5. This has sparked speculation about the potential collaboration between GM and Kia’s parent company, Hyundai Motor Group, on electric vehicle technology.
As the automotive industry continues to shift towards electric vehicles, GM’s patent filing offers a glimpse into the company’s potential plans for the future. Whether this design will eventually become the successor to the Chevy Express or evolve into something entirely new remains to be seen.
