When does Porsche change the model year?
 

When does Porsche change the build year? Other manufactures will start the 2016 model being available in September does Porsche do the same?

More or less. They retool the plant in the month of August, when most of Europe goes on vacation. So, cars built in September are typically next year's models. Takes a little while for them to actually get here, so you probably won't see one in a showroom in September.

JR

I agree with JR

September is the cut over. I only know this because years ago I was trying to sell a 924 of all things and the year of manufacture was in dispute. (I was a salesman in a used car lot)
The owner claimed it was a 79 when in actual fact it was built in August of 78! I found this out by calling the local Porsche dealership.

It did actually affect the value of the car. Not by much but back then the 924 were somewhat valuable.

I received my 2014 Cayman in June 2013, but the first 2014 I saw at the dealer was at the end of March 2013. I think my 2011 Cayenne was originally purchased in May 2010. So actually quite a bit earlier than September. Both of these are first year model cars so maybe that skews the data.

Sometimes a manufacturer will introduce a car earlier than normal, as much as 6 months before the model year. Porsche has done it many times. Still, the usual changeover is late summer.

JR

Legally, the earliest a manufacturer can label a car with a model year is January of the previous year.