Toyota Motor Corp. is hinting at plans to give customers a broader, better range of hybrid and electric vehicles over the next few years. The car maker also suggests it will ramp up its in-car electronics offerings and give more authority to regional executives.

At its annual meeting with dealers held in Las Vegas, the car maker’s president Akio Toyoda talked about a renewed focus on products and said the next-generation Camry and Camry hybrid models coming for 2012 are among the vehicles on which it will rely heavily. He said the new Camry, the latest in a line of midsize sedans that have been perennial best-sellers in the U.S., is meant to “meet the changing needs of the 21st Century driver.”

Toyota says the coming Camry will have improved overall performance including ride and handling that will be better than before, reported The Wall Street Journal. It will also have a new exterior and interior design and a range of new electronic and telematic features, the car maker says.

As competition gets stronger in the midsize family-car segment Toyota has been under pressure to update the Camry. For years its only serious rival was the Honda Civic. But today there are many more cars that compete with the Camry, including the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima. Other rivals that have come on strong lately include Ford Motor Co., Subaru and General Motors Co.’s Chevrolet division.

Company chief Toyoda also said giving more decision-making power to subordinates on the regional level is his “most important goal.” This is significant after more than a year of major recalls and doubts about the company’s commitment to quality.

Here’s a list of additional meeting themes and highlights from Toyota:

Recovery from the disaster has far exceeded expectations. In Japan, production is expected to return to normal levels after July. In North America, eight locally-built models, including Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Matrix, Sequoia, Sienna and Venza returned to 100 percent production in early June. The remaining four North-American built models, including Tundra, Tacoma, RAV4 and Lexus RX, will return to 100 percent beginning in September.

Prius family launch remains on track. Prius dominates the hybrid market with over 50 percent market share. With the launch of Prius family, Toyota is capitalizing on that brand strength and providing all the benefits of Prius in a variety of vehicles. Prius v, which arrives this fall, has SUV like cargo capability, nearly 60 percent more than the current Prius, but still is expected to deliver estimated EPA fuel economy ratings of 42 mpg combined. The Prius c compact, arriving in the spring of 2012, offers expressive styling in a city-friendly vehicle that we believe will be the most fuel efficient hybrid in the U.S.

Advanced technology vehicles. New, advanced vehicles arriving in 2012 include the Prius plug-in hybrid, RAV4 EV and Scion iQ EV. Toyota has committed to putting a fuel cell vehicle on the road by 2015, and is researching bio-fuels and next-generation materials to help make vehicles that will be lighter, safe and more fuel-efficient.

Investment in North America. Our new plant in Mississippi opening this fall will build 150,000 Corollas per year, create 2,000 jobs and represents Toyota’s faith in the North American market.

State-of-the-art multimedia. Toyota’s new Entune system, which will feature simple, seamless functionality and is compatible with virtually every smart phone, will debut this fall in the new Prius v and Camry.

The next round of U.S. fuel efficiency standards aims to push gasoline/electric hybrid vehicles into the mainstream as the Obama administration looks for steeper and more consistent mileage gains from automakers, reported Reuters.

Regulators were due on Thursday to complete an outline of where the administration wants to go on auto efficiency between 2017-25. An announcement was set for Friday, industry and other sources familiar with the plan told Reuters.

The document is expected to articulate goals for fuel savings and seek comment from automakers, environmental groups and other interests. A formal proposal would follow and a final rule would be in place 18 months before the 2017 model year.

The administration’s plan, although far from finalized, is important for investors seeking clarity on prospects and costs of various efficiency technologies, like batteries for plug-ins, fuel cells, and lighter-weight vehicle and component construction materials like composite fibers and aluminum.

Automotive industry and scientific experts believe gasoline/electric systems powering vehicles like the Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) Prius, the Honda Motor Co (7267.T) CR-Z, or the Ford Motor Co (F.N) Fusion hybrid are going to become much more popular with manufacturers under the new standards.

“You will have to go with the alternative that’s on the table now,” said John O’Dell, senior editor of Edmunds Green Car Advisor.com.

“Some combination of electricity with or without an engine – conventional hybrid, plug-in, extended range. It will be a combination of those things,” O’Dell added.

Conventional hybrid automobiles are the only vehicles on the road today with a measure of commercial popularity that could come close to meeting new aggressive government targets for fuel savings and emissions reductions, these experts say.

For instance, the 2011 Prius achieves 51 mpg city/48 highway. It runs on a nickel-metal hydride battery pack and a 4-valve/cylinder gasoline engine.

Hybrid sales overall are down this year and represent roughly 2 percent of the U.S. automotive sales market, roughly 150,000 cars for 2010 through August. Prius accounts for about two-thirds of the total, according to industry sales figures.

Hybrid sales have traditionally gotten a boost from high gasoline prices, which this year have remained steady around $2.70 in 2010 after dramatic price swings in recent years. In 2008, gasoline hit a record $above 4 a gallon.

Government tax breaks and manufacturer incentives have also helped sales and some of those have expired.

IRVINE, Calif. — When it comes to new-car purchases, consumers who are concerned with environmental responsibility and economic stability believe they can meet their needs with the purchase of a green car, according to Autobytel’s recent “What’s Hot Now” report.

Autobytel said in the wake of the Gulf oil spill and concerns about the environment and the economy, consumers are interested in vehicles that can contribute to a greener earth as well as lessen the impact on their pocketbook.

Fifty-seven percent of consumer surveyed revealed an interest in purchasing an alternative fuel vehicle in the next 12 months. Economics was a leading factor in the purchase of an alternative fuel vehicle with over 50 percent reporting “economics, better gas mileage”, but being “environmentally responsible” and “reducing dependence on foreign oil” were two other reasons cited by 39 percent of the respondents.

Autobytel’s report reveals strong green vehicle purchasing trends – and more susceptibility to environmental concerns – in the next generation of car buyers. One out of four respondents under 25 years of age report they are definitely considering purchasing an alternative fuel or high mpg vehicle in the next 12 months. Over half of those surveyed said that environmental factors impacted their likelihood to buy a green vehicle.

“Consumers are interested in being fiscally and environmentally responsible when considering their next vehicle purchase,” said Jeff Coats, president and CEO, Autobytel. “Our latest ‘What’s Hot Now’ report reveals good news for the makers of alternative energy and high mpg vehicles.”

Over 2,000 consumers responded to Autobytel’s survey in July. Key results of the study revealed the following:

Green Potential High in Next 12 Months, Two to Five Years

• Fifty-seven percent of respondents said they are likely to consider purchasing a green (electric, hybrid, high mpg) vehicle in the next 12 months. Nine percent said “definitely” considering, 17 percent said “seriously” considering and 31 percent said “maybe.”
• A total of 75 percent of respondents said they either “intend” (19 percent) or “might consider” (56 percent) purchasing an alternative fuel vehicle in the next two to five years.

Economy Impacts Buying Choices

• “Economics, better gas mileage” is the No. 1 reason cited by respondents for purchasing a green vehicle (51 percent).
• Gas prices impact vehicle purchase choices for 80 percent of the respondents.
• $3.50 a gallon is the gas pump price point at which most respondents (34 percent) would be more likely to purchase an alternative fuel vehicle.

Under 25s: Generation Green

• Seventy-three percent of respondents under the age of 25 are actively considering a green vehicle purchase within the next 12 months, compared to 56 percent of those in the over-25 demographic.
• Environmental factors (such as pollution levels and global warming) impact their likelihood to purchase a green vehicle (53 percent), compared to the over-25 demographic (44 percent).
• Over 80 percent “intend to purchase” or “might consider buying” a green vehicle in the next two to five years, compared to 75 percent in the over-25 demographic.

Hybrid Still Tops

• Gas/electric hybrid is the fuel-efficient technology most likely to be considered (38 percent), while small, high MPG gas vehicles are second (14 percent) and electric plug-ins and fuel cells come in at 11 percent and 9 percent, respectively.