HONDA Finance, the manufacturer's European finance arm, will from next week offer financial products for both corporate and retail customers through the dealer network. From the beginning of April, Honda Finance will offer a range of products - supported by PC-based showroom technology - aimed at helping customers fund new or used cars.

These will include a new personal contract purchase product. Honda Finance was formed two years ago and in September 1996 appointed Lloyds Bowmaker as service provider to support the administration of Honda Finance programmes in the UK. Honda Finance has been providing wholesale finance for dealers since April 1997, with financial services for customers, until now, handled by Chartered Trust on behalf of Honda.

Head of sales and marketing Philip Ross said: 'The primary aim of Honda Finance is to support Honda's growth. Here in Britain, and in Europe as a whole, it will provide the dealer network with a platform for further expanding Honda's market share. By establishing its own in-house finance company, Honda will ensure its standards of quality and service are reflected in the financing of cars to the benefit of customers, dealers and Honda itself.'