Zebra Motors
Back to Blog
China Auto Insights2 min read59 sec

Model year is not production year

A simple distinction that matters when describing a vehicle, checking documents and comparing quotations.

Published

Read the name and the date separately

The model year is part of the marketed vehicle version. It is not proof of the year in which an individual car was built. The source briefing uses a 2025 Model SEALION 05 EV produced in May 2026 to show the distinction.

Make the quotation comparable

Confirm the model year and trim in the quotation, then use the manufacturer's plate and vehicle documents to check the actual production date. Keeping both fields clear helps avoid describing different vehicles as equivalent offers.