OK I know the 07 was early in year because it was a new model and most makers do that, they introduce new model early and get a long year one run. But why did Toyota bring out 09 so soon, not even a refresh, nothing. Would be nice if they would have maybe refreshed the dash or something, maybe added Xebon headlights and driving lights. Are they rushing the life cycle to phase out the TCH early to get the Prius C ready to replace it in early 10 as an 11?

 

It's like the "11" on the amp **** in Spinal Tap. ;-)

Probably some marketing group said people like to buy the future model today...who knows.

 

Probably the same reason a dress manufacturer creates sizes that bear no resemblance to the person's true size.
Just guessing, but a woman who can "fit into a size 4" would rather purchase from that clothing line than another where she is a (true) size 6.

 

But it is rare for a mgf to release model year his early without any type of refresh or new model. I know Hyundai just released 09 Sonota, but they refreshed the car, new dash, some other cosmetics and new wheels, the Camry appears to be the exact same car as when it was released 2 years ago.

 

maybe they sold out of the 2008s....

 

According to my dealer, they released the 09 TCH to 'align it' with the release of (I think) Corrola's and one other model.

 

I suspect that Toyota wanted to be able to re-package the TCH and other models, and in so doing to "justify" reducing the prices on the base packages without annoying people who had already bought 2008 models at the higher prices. Certainly, in Canada Toyota have made quite substantial price reductions, largely because of customer pressure caused by the drop in the value of the US dollar relative to the Canadian dollar. Introducing "new" 2009 models lets them justify this more easily.

Stan

 

What SPL said. At least for Canada, it allows Toyota Canada to readjust the price without pissing the 08 owners off (as well as make some equipment changes).

Also, it lets them get closer to the 2010 MY which is when the refreshed Camry will arrive (hopefully with an updated interior to match the new Accord).

 

It's all a marketing scheme. Model years in cars has always been ahead of the true year. Some genius marketing guru many years ago must have made millions for coming up with the concept of auto model years!

 

Yes it is a brilliant marketing strategy...and very effective, too!
It reminds you that it's time to replace a perfectly good product ahead of it's time.

Microsoft copied the strategy. Originally, it was Windows 3.1, then it became Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME (Millennium Edition), etc. as well as Office 97, etc. They've, obviously, abandoned the practice. It helps differentiate the products better than with other methods. I use Macs now and keep getting confused between Tiger and Panther (although they also have numbers 10.3 and 10.4), now that I am on Leopard. What's next? Cheetah? Lion? Meerkat?