Audi partners
with Elton John AIDS Foundation

Automaker Audi of America has launched a pair of initiatives to both raise money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation and promote the company's upcoming Audi Q7 SUV, which will be released in June.

The "Test Drive an Audi to Help Fight AIDS" program, held now through December 31 in four U.S. metro areas, allows customers who test-drive the company's vehicles or who purchase or lease an Audi to have a donation made in their name to the Elton John AIDS Foundation courtesy of Audi of America. Those who test-drive an Audi can have a $50 donation made in their name; Audi buyers and leasers can have a $500 donation made to the AIDS organization on their behalf.

The "Test Drive" program will take place in the New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco metro areas. Prospective Audi customers will receive cards in the mail that they can turn in at an Audi dealership to process the donations.

Audi also cosponsored the annual Elton John AIDS Foundation's Academy Awards viewing dinner and after-party, held on March 5 in Los Angeles. An auction of two Audi Q7 SUVs at the event raised $280,000 for John's foundation.

Since its establishment in 1992, the Elton John AIDS Foundation has raised more than $80 million to support HIV awareness, prevention, treatment, and research programs in 55 countries around the world. The annual Academy Awards party raised nearly $3 million for global AIDS programs. (Advocate.com)