This commercial cutaway entered the market for the 1996 model year as part of the brand’s new Savana van family, giving upfitters a purpose-built foundation for shuttle, delivery, RV, ambulance, and specialty-body applications. It was designed as a cab-and-chassis-style platform with a ladder-type frame and a rear structure intended to be completed by body builders, which made it especially useful in commercial fleets where the final vehicle configuration depends on the customer’s trade.
The cutaway version has remained a steady part of the lineup rather than a high-volume retail van, and its history is tied closely to the broader Savana range that launched in the mid-1990s. Over time, it evolved alongside the full Savana van family while staying focused on vocational use instead of passenger comfort or luxury. That long-running role has made it a familiar base for third-party conversions and fleet applications across North America.
In its modern form, the vehicle continues to serve as a straightforward commercial foundation for upfitters, with the emphasis on durability, packaging flexibility, and easy adaptation to many body styles. Its continuity since 1996 distinguishes it as one of the brand’s longest-running commercial nameplates, and it remains an important part of the company’s work-vehicle lineup.