Our name is often associated with automobiles, but American Honda is much more than that. American Honda is the sales, marketing and distribution channel for a wide range of products, including motorcycles, ATVs, generators, marine engines, lawn and garden equipment and automobiles.

American Honda Finance Corp. (AHFC) was established in 1980 as a wholly owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Doing business as Honda Financial Services, AHFC's mission is to increase customer satisfaction by helping consumers finance their purchases of Honda and Acura automobiles, motorcycles, power and marine equipment, parts, and accessories.

At all of our Honda companies, we believe in the power of partnerships between community organizations and corporations to transform lives and uplift communities. As a result, we have a long, proud history of giving back to the communities in which we do business.

One example of our commitment to giving back is the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC). The only competition of its kind in the country, HCASC was founded by American Honda in 1989, and annually gathers top students from 64 of the nation's HBCUs for several days of intense academic competition, culminating in one HBCU winning the title of National Champion. Since the program's inception, Honda has awarded more than $5 million in grants to HBCUs.

Another Honda sponsored program that supports the nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities is the Honda Battle of the Bands, which showcases the pageantry, showmanship and musicianship at the country's HBCUs. Entering its fifth year, the program includes two components: The Celebration Tour, which provides an opportunity for 41 participating bands to earn a $1,000 grant for their halftime performances at selected football games during the fall, and the Invitational Showcase, which highlights the top 10 bands at a mega-event at the Georgia Dome. Each of the 10 schools selected through a voting process receives an additional $10,000 toward its scholarship. As sponsor of the Honda Battle of the Bands, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. this year awarded $141,000 in grants to the HBCU bands.

For more information about Honda's commitment to philanthropy and diversity, visit the company's Web site www.honda.com.