March 2008 is just now ending, and already a number of 2009 models are available. Legally, a car can be a 2009 as soon as the 2008 calendar year begins. Some people will take exception with this. Why can’t the model years match the calendar years, or at least come close?

Well, before make this request, consider the alternative. Some manufacturers when they introduced a redesigned or updated model in the first half of the calendar year don’t change the model year. Instead, they have two sometimes totally different products that share the same model and model year.

The solution in this case is to refer to the new vehicle as a half year model. For example, Volkswagan introduced the current Jetta as a 2005.5 and Volvo introduced the current S40 as a 2004.5.

The problem I have with this approach is that the owners of such cars often don’t know about the half-year desigation, especially if they’re not the original owner.

This complicates the task of providing reliability information on these cars. And, if you’re a used car shopper looking to buy such a car, you’ll need a photo to be certain you’ve got the right one.

Buyers can also benefit from the early start of a model year; down the road a 2009 will be worth more than a 2008.

So, personally, I’m all in favor of starting the model year early whenever an updated or thoroughly redesigned model is introduced early in the calendar year.