According to sonyalpharumors.com, a new high-end Sony APS-C sensor camera will be available by Christmas 2018.
The rumor states that this camera would be sort of a “mini a9,” which makes me think this may be released as the first body in a new alpha 9000 (a9000) pro-level APS-C series.
We may see an a9000 first, before Christmas, followed up in early 2019 with a more prosumer-oriented a7000.
The naming conventions are mere speculation at this point, but it would make sense to mirror the a7 and a9 full-frame series with smaller-sensor cameras of similar capabilities.
Source: (SR4) High End APS-C camera should be announced before Christmas time