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The "Model Year" for automobiles is not the same as the Calendar Year (January through December). The Model Year usually starts in the fall of the previous calendar year.
To get ready for the start of the new model year, cars are manufactured ahead of time. Most cars start production in late spring or early summer to be ready for the fall introduction. And when a new model debuts, often the old production line is stopped and the new model starts even earlier. B110 sales started in January 1970. This was a very early introduction, and this could be named after the current season, the upcoming season, or occasionally some makers would call this a "1/2 year" model (e.g. the 1964-1/2 Ford Mustang introduction).
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United States
In the United States, the car model year traditionally starts in October. However, per government regulation, a car can be called a "2008" model if manufactured on or after January 2nd, 2007 (reference: wikipedia:Model year.
Also, when a state has issued a title, what is on that title is the overriding year. Occasionally they make a mistake and register a car one year off.
In some cases in the USA prior to introducing a new model, to allow for the factory "changeover" of tooling and assembly line, an old model is sold for two calender years. For example, in anticipation of the new 1984 Chevrolet Corvette there was no "1983" Corvette.
Datsun Sunny Production
Japan Domestic Market Sales dates:
- reference: Nissan Global document Model Changes in Japan (ff_fy01e14.pdf).
Australia
Nissan entered genuine local manufacture in 1972 with the installation of a highly automated engine plant and vehicle assembly line at Clayton in Victoria and the opening of a new Australian headquarters in nearby Dandenong.
South Africa
In South Africa, the latest B140 2007 offering is known as the 2005 model, while the previous model was the 2002 version.