CHARLOTTE, N.C. — American Honda Finance Corp. celebrated the groundbreaking earlier this week for its new North Carolina regional office.

The company indicated its new facility, consisting of 25,000 square feet, will support its growing family of customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

AHFC intends to lease the space at Ballantyne Corporate Park, a 535-acre master-planned Class A office and business community in Charlotte.

Officials also announced they will seek to certify the facility to the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy Efficient Design (LEED) standards.

Charlotte is already home to AHFC's current regional office. The office's 120 associates will relocate to the new facility once it is completed in 2012.

Executives pointed out AHFC's regional office in Charlotte currently serves more than 334,000 Honda and Acura customers with new-vehicle financing and lease programs.

"We look forward to the positive contributions our new facility will make to the further growth and economic success of this area, stated AHFC regional manager Dean Hardesty.

"Our new offices will enhance our ability to serve our Honda and Acura customers with the highest quality financial products and services," Hardesty added.