Manufacture Date vs Model Yeal

Just got a surprise today and need your input. My Tacoma is a 2017 model which I bought new, off the lot this last Jan 18. However, just now I noticed a door sticker saying the manufacture date was 10/17. I had to look twice to be sure of what it reveals. I always thought that all vehicle manufacturers stopped somewhere in the late spring to gear up for the next model year, and to allow dealers to clear their inventories. Is Toyota different? I had thought that my 2017 had been sitting on the lot for several months - NOT just 3. Someone please help me understand.

 

I think October is right on the cusp of final model year runs. Yours was obviously a later build than most, but less time on a lot isn’t a bad thing at all.

 

In addition to less time sitting on the lot, your example may have one or two fixes that the earlier-run 2017s did not receive. By fixes, I mean design flaws or bugs being addressed (what could have been a recall), not new features or additional content that the new model year received.

 

I just verified with Toyota that my Taco was built on 13 Oct 17, just 3 months before I bought it. WOW! I thought it had been sitting on the lot for several months (since prior spring). I have learned and am quite pleased.

 

Just look on the build sticker near your tire sticker on your driver rear door post. It will give you the model year and the build month and year. Mine, for instance is a 2008 model, built in Nov., 2007.