The HondaJet Elite II, the newest model of Honda Aircraft Company's award-winning and innovative very light jet, has been named the ‘Coolest Thing Made in NC’, following a contest held by the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce. The fifth annual ‘Coolest Thing Made in NC’ contest took place over eight weeks, during which time visitors to the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce website had the opportunity to select from among 145 candidate products manufactured within the state.

The HondaJet Elite II is the fastest, furthest and highest-flying jet in its class. It is produced by Honda Aircraft Company exclusively at its global headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina, where it employs more than 900 associates from around the Triad Area. An active contributor to the local community in North Carolina, since establishing operations there in 2006, Honda has partnered with educational entities around the state such as Guilford Technical Community College to develop programmes to assist students interested in engineering and aviation, as well as other support for schools in Guilford County.

“Honda is honoured to receive this recognition from the people of North Carolina, the birthplace of aviation,” says president and CEO Hideto Yamasaki. “There was quite an assortment of excellent products in the running this year. It was pretty stiff competition. We would like to extend our thanks to everyone who has supported us and our jet in achieving this accolade.”

Honda Aircraft Company is growing its operations in North Carolina as it prepares to introduce new production lines for the HondaJet Echelon, which is anticipated to become the first light jet capable of transcontinental flight.