GREENSBORO, N.C. - July 20, 2015 - Honda Aircraft Company announced today that it is expanding sales of the HondaJet for the first time to South America. Sales will begin in Brazil with the HondaJet making its first appearance at the 2015 Latin America Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (LABACE) in São Paulo, Brazil, Aug. 11 to 13.

With the expansion into Brazil, the HondaJet dealer network spans three continents and includes 11 territories in North America, Europe and South America.

“General aviation in Brazil has experienced impressive growth, and it is the second largest country for new business jet sales,” said Honda Aircraft Company President and CEO Michimasa Fujino. “Expanding sales to this important market is part of our global sales plan and strategy for the HondaJet.”

To support customers in Brazil, Honda Aircraft Company has appointed Lider Aviação as the exclusive dealer to provide sales, service and support for the HondaJet. The company, headquartered in Belo Horizonte, is Latin America’s largest private aviation business and operates 23 fixed base operations (FBO) throughout Brazil.

“We are excited to introduce the HondaJet in Brazil with a company that shares our passion to create a new and higher standard for aircraft ownership, said Fujino. “Lider’s demonstrated leadership in business aviation and established facilities make it a strong partner to deliver outstanding customer service.”

Lider began as a charter company and has grown into one of the largest business aviation companies in the world with aircraft sales, maintenance, charter, aircraft management, helicopter operations and ground-handling services. Certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Lider has earned the internationally recognized IS-BAO designation for charter services and ISO 9001 certification for its handling activities.

“Lider and Honda Aircraft are a natural fit,” said Eduardo Vaz, Lider Aviação President and CEO. “The HondaJet incorporates advanced technologies and is an ideal aircraft for the Brazilian market. With Lider’s complementary services, HondaJet customers will experience exceptional customer satisfaction from day one. We are excited to represent the world’s most advanced light jet as HondaJet Brazil.”

The HondaJet will make its first appearance in South America as part of LABACE 2015. A production HondaJet will be on static display during the three-day event from Aug. 11 to 13.

In addition, Honda Aircraft and Lider will conduct a demonstration tour as part of the aircraft’s debut.

The HondaJet is the world’s most advanced light jet, and its distinctive design incorporates advanced technologies and concepts. The HondaJet patented Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration, natural laminar flow wing, and composite fuselage were developed from long-term research activities. These innovations deliver a superior combination of speed, comfort and fuel efficiency over other jets in its class.

The HondaJet flies at a maximum cruise speed of 420 knots (483 mph) and has a maximum altitude of 43,000 feet. The aircraft seats up to six passengers and can travel an NBAA IFR range of 1,180 nautical miles (1,357 miles).

For more information about the HondaJet, visit www.hondajet.com.

The HondaJet is the world’s most advanced light jet, with best-in-class advantages in performance, comfort, quality and efficiency. The HondaJet is the fastest, highest-flying, quietest, and most fuel-efficient jet in its class. The HondaJet incorporates many technological innovations in aviation design, including the unique Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration that dramatically improves performance and fuel efficiency by reducing aerodynamic drag. The OTWEM design also reduces cabin sound, minimizes ground-detected noise, and allows for the roomiest cabin in its class, the largest baggage capacity, and a fully serviceable private aft lavatory. The HondaJet is powered by two highly fuel-efficient GE Honda HF120 turbofan jet engines, and is equipped with the most sophisticated glass flight deck available in any light business jet, a Honda-customized Garmin^® G3000 next-generation, all-glass avionics system composed of three 14-inch landscape-format displays and dual touch-screen controllers. The HondaJet is Honda's first commercial aircraft and lives up to the company’s reputation for superior performance, efficiency, quality and value.

Honda Aircraft Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Founded in 2006, Honda Aircraft has its heritage in more than 20 years of groundbreaking aeronautical research and development. At Honda Aircraft’s world headquarters in North Carolina, the birthplace of aviation, the company’s associates work in more than 600,000 square feet of state-of-the-art R&D, production, administration and customer service facilities to develop, produce, market and support the HondaJet with HondaJet dealers. The challenging spirit upon which Mr. Soichiro Honda founded Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is alive today as Honda Aircraft fulfills one of Honda’s longstanding dreams to advance human mobility skyward.