• Signing Ceremony in Jacksonville marks the official start of the industrial scaling of the HOLON urban.

• During the construction phase, the project will bring over $200 million to the local economy and create more than 800 jobs.

• Groundbreaking planned for April 2026 with commissioning scheduled for late 2027.

(Jacksonville, FL – October 27, 2025) HOLON, vehicle developer and producer of the HOLON urban, together with its partner InLight, have signed a Term Sheet for the construction of its first production facility in the USA. The signing ceremony in Jacksonville marks the official start of the industrial production of the HOLON urban – an autonomous, electric shuttle for public transport.

HOLON CFO Clemens Rengier emphasizes: "With this partnership, we are not only creating the basis for technological innovation, but also for sustainable growth in Jacksonville. I would like to mention once again the City of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), who supported our vision from the beginning. Now Jacksonville is becoming the center for autonomous mobility in the USA."

Enormous Economic Impact on the Region

The new facility at Eastport Industrial Park will be approximately 580,000 square foot and will be the first autonomous vehicle production facility in Florida. The construction is being carried out in cooperation with InLight Real Estate Partners as the project developer. The groundbreaking ceremony is planned for April 2026, and commissioning is scheduled for second half of 2027.

InLight Real Estate Partners, the property owner, sees the project as an impetus for regional development: "We are pleased to support HOLON in the realization of this forward-looking production facility. The project will not only create new jobs but also strengthen our region’s manufacturing sector.”

The economic impact on the region is also considerable. According to a study by the University of North Florida, the project will bring over $200 million to the local economy during the construction phase, create more than 800 jobs – at least 150 of them directly at HOLON – and generate $87 million in economic output annually starting in 2028. Industries such as manufacturing, real estate, healthcare, and professional services will particularly benefit.

"This represents more than a milestone for the JTA and HOLON, it’s a milestone for the Jacksonville region, for Florida, and for our nation,” said JTA CEO Nat Ford. “Through this partnership we are demonstrating how innovation in mobility creates jobs, stimulates economic growth, and positions our communities at the forefront of America’s transportation future."

Vehicle Development is Progressing Rapidly

In parallel to the production preparation, the technological development of the HOLON urban is progressing rapidly. In Hamburg, the first test drives on public roads started as part of the ALIKE project. At the same time, the HOLON urban completed its first autonomous drives. "These milestones confirm that our vehicle concept is not only technically convincing, but also on the right track in terms of regulation," Dr. Sven Herzig, CSO of HOLON. "We are taking great strides towards a new era of mobility."

HOLON Vehicles in Use on American Roads

The HOLON urban will meet FMVSS (US vehicle safety standards) requirements, complies with specifications under the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) and is ADA compliant (barrier-free according to US standards). This means that it is optimally prepared for use in the U.S. market.

A key component of the launch of the HOLON urban in the U.S. is its integration into JTA’s Ultimate Urban Circulator (U²C) program. As part of this innovative mobility project, HOLON will deliver up to 100 autonomous shuttles that will be deployed in several phases Downtown Jacksonville. Further pilot projects are planned in the U.S. from 2026.

Gallery of photos from today’s event: https://brandfolder.com/s/gq3pcgfkn3zxsk779tmxrj6

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About the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA)
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) is an independent state agency serving Jacksonville, Florida, and Northeast Florida with multi-modal responsibilities. The JTA provides varied mass public transit services and builds roads, bridges, and other infrastructure to enhance mobility in Jacksonville. Public transportation services include BRT and regular bus service, Neighborhood Autonomous Vehicle Innovation (NAVI), paratransit, the St. Johns River Ferry, Skyway APM, and other mobility and on-demand services in Duval, Clay, Nassau, and St. Johns counties. To learn more, visit www.jtafla.com.

The HOLON urban
The HOLON urban is a fully electric and autonomous vehicle for use on public roads. It is one of the first autonomous shuttles to meet automotive standards – leading the way in safety, ride comfort and production quality. The vehicle operates at a top speed of 60 kilometers per hour and can accommodate up to 15 passengers.

The HOLON urban is barrier-free and offers an automated ramp, a secured wheelchair space and auditory and visual support for passengers. In addition to conventional scheduled services, the mover is to be used as an on-demand means of transport in order to meet the mobility needs of users.

Media Contacts:
For media inquiries, please contact:

Taniel Koushakjian
Director of Communications
Jacksonville Transportation Authority
tk@jtafla.com
(904) 632-5237

HOLON GmbH
Elsener Straße 95
D-33102 Paderborn
Pamela Seewald-Grabosch
Mobile +49 151 2295 1623
p.r@driveholon.com