<P> In the United States , automobile model - year sales traditionally begin with the fourth quarter of the preceding year . So model year refers to the sales model year ; for example , vehicles sold during the period from October 1 to September 30 of the following year belong to a single model year . In addition , the launch of the new model - year has long been coordinated to the launch of the traditional new television season ( as defined by A.C. Nielsen ) in late September , because of the heavy dependence between television to offer products from automakers to advertise , and the car companies to launch their new models at a high - profile time of year . </P>
when does new model year start for cars
the fourth quarter of the preceding year