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Think natural gas; think diesel. If there was ever an opportunity for a new automobile release to make a bold statement, the launch yesterday of the 2012 Toyota Camry missed one significant mark that is becoming more and more important to American drivers - fuel choice.

In light of high prices for gasoline that is often held hostage to high oil prices around the globe, there was no mention of any natural-gas or even a diesel option. It appears Toyota has chosen once again to play it conservative and not rock its own boat by staying fully gasoline; and that appears to be an opportunity missed.

No doubt, Toyota is leaning toward electrification as its “other” fuel choice in the form of a hybrid for the 2012 Camry. That, however, has a nasty side effect called a cost premium, even more than any premium for a nat-gas option. However, a nat-gas fuel option is not as technologically intense; and would have sent a distinct message that Toyota gets it and understands America's needs.

Further consider the vehicle is touted as an all-American car with the most American-part content of just about any vehicle; and the proud claims that it was redesigned from the ground up, a simple technology review of the 2012 Toyota Camry engine and fuel combinations simply reveals a black hole. If it hadn’t been a new design, nobody would think much of it; and perhaps say, “Oh, next time.” Well, next time is here, right now, not 2016 or 2025!

Point is, despite a safe exterior, the lack of vision centers on the decision to not include a dual-fuel capability, a key expectation in light of present energy and economic circumstances in America.

In Plain English

Toyota had the golden opportunity to lead America here in the area of dual fuel and failed.

Do not take this wrong. The 2012 Toyota Camry looks to perform well as it was designed. I have no qualms about that. However, the Japanese firm failed to realize that with much hype comes high expectations; and in this case, styling surely didn’t impress anyone. So, the only thing left was the technology, especially as it pertained to engine efficiency and fuel choice.

This is what I meant when I wrote, Toyota stock investors look to a flawless launch of 2012 Camry , in the Auto Stock Sector segment here at Torque News. And the article, Toyota stock needs the 2012 Camry to be a hit. Click Here, now!

Be apprised that investors as well as potential customers are also looking for a bold design, not just safe, which the exterior exhibits. Perhaps they could live with that for now, but not when it comes to the engine and the options for fuel, in light of the country heading toward cleaner fuels with greater availability and cost advantage.

Granted, only Honda has a real natural-gas option, even among GM and Ford. However, Chevrolet at least had the vision to bring a diesel option for the 2013 Chevy Cruze, which is used already in Europe.

Toyota, especially with the Camry, has always had a fuel efficiency advantage with its engines in America; and that’s what’s puzzling here. With a new car offering like the 2012 Toyota Camry with so much hype in light of the 2016 mileage mandates just around the corner, one would think an option to enable natural gas as potential fuel seemed logical and forward thinking.

Again, from an exterior view, the styling of the 2012 Toyota Camry is so safe that it’s bland, in this writer‘s opinion. Having worked in a design studio, I know bland when I see it. Yet, why didn’t Toyota exhibit that same safe attitude when it chose the drive train and fuel options in its marketing plans?

Still, the Toyota Camry has been the bestselling car in America 13 of the last 14 years. Questions are: With new features, a new look and lower prices against a growing list of competitors like the Chevy Malibu, can the 2012 Camry lineup maintain its position in America? And will it drive sales sufficiently to halt the fall of the stock price?

Full Disclosure: At time of publication, Sherosky, creator of the auto sector charts for TN, is neither long or short with the mentioned stocks or futures, though positions can change at any time. None of the information in this article constitutes a recommendation, but an assessment or opinion.

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About the Reporter: After 39 years in the auto industry as a design engineer, Frank Sherosky now trades stocks, futures and writes articles, books and ebooks like, "Perfecting Corporate Character," "Awaken Your Speculator Mind", and "Millennial World Order" via authorfrank.com. He may be contacted here by email: FrankS@TorqueNews.com or via his Twitter i.d. @Authorfranks

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