Why does it seem that finding out what the model year of the car in the show room is so difficult?

In Canada and the US it is always big fanfare each fall when the new years models come out......

I went into a Toyota dealership yesterday to inquire about the Fortuner Aperto.......was told "finished already must wait for next year"

I asked: ok, so the Aperto was the 2009 (2552) model year and now we will wait for the 2010's? When will they arrive? Got a strange look......"not sure" was the answer.

I asked for a Fortuner brochure and nowhere can I find what model year the brochure is referring to.....

Anyone know if the Aperto is the 2009 model or 2010?

Both.

In Most countries in Asia they dont have modelyear visible in the VIN code (10th digit), they use only a zero.

Modelyear is when its sold and insured.

Just got a 2010 Vigo, some mods for the new year, took delivery 05 November, so it will be a 2009 model even if its 2010 spec. Silly. Same with my Kawasaki Ninja 650. 2010 spec, but its 2009 in insurance and reg book.

When you trade in later, all they look for is modelyear in book

Edit date of manufactor can be read on the aluminumplate containing VIN code and other info. Date of engine build can be read on engine sticker. Tyres contain a 4 digit code stating week and year. All rubberhoses contain date of manufactor

you'll find most people refer to generations of a certain car as "minorchange" or not. aka facelift, mid-life refesh, yadda yadda. A completely new model of a car, using the same name, will be called "new", i.e. the "New Altis". These times is when there is a big fanfare for the release

Anyway, like katabeachbum mentioned, the official year (manufacture year) of the car can be read from the plate in one of the door jambs

So that's why they run red plates for 6 months or a year (in addition to not having to pay the tax).

So that's why they run red plates for 6 months or a year (in addition to not having to pay the tax).

could be one reason, another one is they are waiting for a "fancy" number plate to come in (aka a friend of mine who wants all his cars to have "456" number plates, his last one ran on red plates for a looooong time)

Ok, thanks for that......

Had heard about the waiting game with the red plates thing, thought it was a bit of a scam......

Ok, thanks for that......

Had heard about the waiting game with the red plates thing, thought it was a bit of a scam......

Running red plates is much more. As long as running red plates, dealer doesnt have to pay to maker, and maker doesnt have to pay excise tax, cause the vehicle isnt really sold. Look at the wealthy thais going to Hua Hin on weekends. All on red plates, even 3 year old beemers

And when finally sold, 3 year olds can become 2010 this january. But my neighbor in Hua Hin must hurry up, cause a new beemer 5 is in the pipeline