Bobby McFerrin probably wasn’t thinking of the Toyota Camry when he recorded his bouncy hit single, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” nearly 25 years ago. But 9.7 million North Americans who have owned and depended on a Camry since its debut in 1983 would nevertheless likely subscribe to the song’s sentiments. Certainly, their confidence has helped make the best-selling car in America for the last nine years*.

With so many choices of midsize vehicles—to say nothing of ongoing concerns about the economy and gas prices—the last thing car buyers need to worry about is whether they bought the right one. “We want to know we got great value for our money, that we made the responsible choice and are taking care of our families and friends,” says Bob Carter, Toyota Division Group Vice President and General Manager.

The all-new, 2012 Toyota Camry could be called the “no worries” choice in a highly competitive segment of the car market. There are several very good reasons new Camry owners can feel highly confident in their buying decisions.

An Amazing Track Record

Nothing says dependability, reliability and durability like a great track record. Toyota reports that 90 percent of all Camrys sold since 1995 are still on the road.**

If the past is prologue, those are great odds for buyers of the 2012 Camry, a car Carter calls “the most technologically advanced Toyota ever built… [featuring] contemporary styling combined with best-in-class driving dynamics, refinement, safety features, fuel economy and connectivity.”

The Most Road-Tested Camry Ever

To make sure the 2012 Camry continues the tradition of reliability and dependability, Toyota took extraordinary steps to makesure Camrys coming off the line at its award-winning Georgetown, Kentucky, plant remain trouble-free. The new Camry underwent triple the amount of road testing than what new Toyota models normally get. Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota Motor Corporation, was on hand in Georgetown at the car’s unveiling. He explained to plant workers how he got very familiar with the Camry’s engineers and designers.

“I have personally involved myself in product development, and I never compromise until I am satisfied,” said Toyoda. “And believe me, there are times I drive the designers and engineers and some of you here crazy.”

More Car, Less Money

In a challenging economic environment, value is paramount. And Camry delivers it in spades: more features, more room and more refinement, all at a lower sticker price.

The first thing you’ll notice is an all-new exterior design, striking a clean, sophisticated pose but retaining nearly the same overall dimensions as the previous edition. Meanwhile, Toyota has worked a little magic with the interior. “Without increasing the size of the car, our engineers have made the new Camry roomier,” explains Carter. A new dashboard design, modified seat locations, redesigned seats and “lean” door pillars and headliner trim all contribute to a more spacious interior.

A car already noted for its refinement has taken another step up. Extra sound-minimizing technologies and materials mean that the new Camry is quieter than ever before.

There’s also an even better balance of ride and handling. A more rigid body structure and revised front and rear suspension give the Camry greater straight-line stability and crisper steering response. “I personally tested the new Camry until I was satisfied it out-drove and out-handled its competitors,” remarked Toyoda. “And, without hesitation, I can tell you there’s no comparison.”

And then there’s the newly available Entune™ system that turns the Camry into a kind of smartphone on wheels. Entune™ leverages your mobile smartphone to provide a richer in-vehicle experience, one that’s fully integrated with navigation, entertainment and information services. For instance, Entune™ allows Camry drivers to get access to mobile apps like Bing, OpenTable and movietickets.com; travel-related services including live weather, traffic and fuel information; and music apps such as Pandora. No worries about taking your eyes off the road: Drivers can control the system using everyday, conversational commands.

Here’s the kicker: All these new features can be had for lower sticker prices. The all-new Camry and Camry Hybrid come in six different styles, from the entry-level L to the value-driven LE, the premium XLE and the sporty SE.

Taking a Bite Out of Gas Prices

You’ll be visiting the pump less often in the 2012 Camry. The new Camry again offers three powertrain choices, each of which has been enhanced to provide better fuel economy.

The 2.5-liter, 178-horsepower, four-cylinder engine is teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission that offers even better EPA–estimated fuel economy of 25 mpg city/35 highway. The combined 28 mpg is two better than the previous model’s, and the highway mileage is best-in-class.^◊ The 3.5-liter V6 engine, available in the SE and XLE grades, delivers 268 horsepower at 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway.***

Of course, the new Camry Hybrid is the fuel-efficiency star in the lineup, thanks to a reduced overall weight, a new 2.5-liter engine, an even more efficient Hybrid Energy Drive system and lower rolling resistance tires. The result? EPA–estimated 43 mpg city/39 highway.**** “You could drive from L.A. to Salt Lake City, Detroit to New York, or New York to Charlotte without having to refuel,” explains Carter. All that mileage doesn’t come at the expense of pep. Between the gas and electric motors, the new Hybrid offers a combined 200 horsepower, and acceleration times faster than the four-cylinder Camry model.

Built to Protect Precious Cargo

Greater safety innovation means fewer worries. All 2012 Camry models come equipped with 10 standard airbags, including new front-passenger-knee airbag and rear-side airbags. And, as with every Toyota, Camry comes standard with the acclaimed Toyota Star Safety System™: Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Anti-lock Brake System, Electronic Brake-Force Distribution, Brake Assist and the Smart Stop brake-override system.

Another available system, Safety Connect, can access a call center with a live operator, who can dispatch police and other emergency assistance. A newly available Blind Spot Monitor alerts drivers to vehicles in their blind spots via indicators on the side mirrors.

Dependability, value, fuel efficiency and safety: When you own a 2012 Toyota Camry, chances are you’ll experience the same worry-free motoring that millions of other Camry owners have enjoyed over the years.

For more information, visit your local Toyota dealer or www.toyota.com/camry.

On Pace for NASCAR

In the five years that Camry has been racing in NASCAR’s Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series, Camry teams have visited victory lane 100 times.

Now, there’s a new addition to the Camry NASCAR team. The 2012 Camry has been named pace car for the 54th running of the Daytona 500 on February 26—a fitting honor, showcasing the nation’s best-selling car in one of the most American of sporting events.

“NASCAR has never seen a pace car with this combination of fuel performance and efficiency,” says Denny Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 FedEx Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing. “It really is amazing.”

“We’re thrilled to be able to feature the new Camry in Daytona at the season’s biggest race,” says Ed Laukes, Corporate Manager of Motorsports Marketing for Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. “We think the Daytona 500 is the perfect place to showcase the all-new Camry. We knew when the opportunity arose to partner with Daytona that it would be an extraordinary way to highlight our new Camry, as well as reinforce Toyota’s commitment to NASCAR and its fans.”

*MotorIntelligence.com, CY 2002–2010 sales.

**Based on Polk U.S. Vehicles in Operation registration statistics MY 1996–2010 as of July 2010. Includes Camry Solara.

◊ Based on 6-cylinder non-luxury vehicles in EPA class Midsize Cars. 21 city/ 30 highway/ 25 combined mileage for Camry V6. Actual mileage will vary.

***EPA–estimated 21 city/ 30 highway/25 combined mileage for Camry V6. Actual mileage will vary.

****2012 EPA–estimated 43 city/ 39 highway/ 41 combined mileage for Camry Hybrid LE. Actual mileage will vary.

◊◊Based on hybrid and gas upper middle sedans, Polk segmentation. 2012 EPA–estimated 43 city/ 39 highway/ 41 combined mileage for Camry Hybrid LE. Actual mileage will vary.