There are some hot new cars on their way to you for the 2007 model year -- unfortunately, the car in the photo at the right isn't one of them.

Tracking the changes is a big job. Model year used to be pretty rigid among automakers. We could expect new models to start hitting showrooms in the late fall at the earliest, with a big turnover of the previous year's model highlighted by big discounts and "end of the model year" events.

There have been notable exceptions, of course. Remember the first Ford Mustang? Ford brought it to showrooms in mid-1964 as a 1965 model. Mustang collectors like to talk about the "1964-1/2 Mustang," but according to Mustang Monthly Magazine, there was no such animal. There was an early production Mustang, but it was still a 1965 'Stang.

This year, we've seen the early introduction of several 2007 Toyotas: the Yaris, the FJ Cruiser and the new Camry. General Motors rolled out the 2007 Cadillac Escalade in March. Where will it end? Where does it begin?

About Cars Guide Aaron Gold is making a valiant attempt to sort out the new model year. You can track his attempt here, at About Cars.

Good luck, Aaron. We're all counting on you.

Photo © Jason Fogelson