Here's a stupid question that only a PC (or other car) nut would think of: Since I was a kid in the 1950's new car models have been sold beginning in about September (give or take a month or two). In a few cases, when a new model has been introduced--e.g., the 2010 Gen III Prius--the introduction took place earlier--about May 2009 for the 2010 Prius. But I can't remember another case where a model introduced so early also had its model year extended so late--we are now actually in 2011, and the newest Prius is still the 2011. So I ask, is this the longest model year for a single car in automotive history? (PS--the shortest model year in automotive history that I can think of is the fabled "64 and a half" Ford Mustang--introduced, if I remember correctly, in the spring of 64, and replaced by the 65 Mustang in the fall)
VW got around the more stringent emission regulations a few of years ago by stocking up TDI vehicles and milking that "left over" inventory well into the following year. As for the shortest model year, it is probably the first Highlander hybrids. They were only produced for about 3 weeks before switching over to the next production year... making an instant collector's item. .
It's actually not that uncommon to have a long model year with a new generation of a car model. BMW routinely introduces new gens in early Q2, with that MY extending until September of the following year.
I owned a 2003 Acura TL Type S which I took delivery of in June 2002; Same as my 2010 Prius which I took delivery of in June of 2009.
The 2006 scion xb was sold from 2005 till the end of 2006 iirc. In fact there is no 2007 xb, but the redesigned 2008 xb
We bought a 2nd generation Nissan Murano, identified as a 2009 during the first week of February 2008. Then the 2010 didn't get to dealers until late 2009. We figured we got more than a year and two thirds use for one year's depreciation.
We bought our 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid in June of 2002. I believe they first came out in about April of 02. Here is some information about my Civic Hybrid; http://members.cox.net/wdcox/hybrid.html
The all-new 2009 Toyota Matrix hit US showrooms in the month of February 2008 which is 3 months before the 2010 Prius hit rooms in May 2009.
AFAIK Mazda totally skipped 2011 on their mazda 5 and will go straight from 2010 to 2012. It's 2011 and they are still selling 2010s and not making 2011s ever!
Assuming that everyone agrees the Shelby Cobra is a real production car, I think we have the winner here! And the award for shortest model year goes to the nomination from john1701a, for the first Highlander hybrids, which he says were only on the market a few weeks before the "next year" models came out. But the 2010 Prius is still pretty unusual. Got off the ground in Q2 of 2009, went through all of 2010, and is still the latest model available in early 2011, as far as I can tell. The only "mainstream" nominee that seems to be like that was from Murasaki, who said: "The 2006 scion xb was sold from 2005 till the end of 2006 iirc. In fact there is no 2007 xb, but the redesigned 2008 xb" As I read that, he seems to be saying that the 2006 Scion xb began in 200, went through 2006, and stayed on into 2007 until the 2008's came out. Hard to tell the total length, but it seems to also have been a 3 calendar year car. Right?
