BENTELER Group subsidiary Holon to be Florida's first automotive vehicle manufacturer. The Holon electric autonomous vehicle, which has a top speed of 60kph and a capacity for up to 15 passengers, is designed for various applications, from on-demand services like ride pooling and ride hailing to regularly scheduled transit operations.
11 Sep 2024 | 4065 Views | By Autocar Professional Bureau
Holon, a leading manufacturer of autonomous, electric shuttles purpose-built to advance shared mobility and sustainable transportation, is poised has announced plans to set up its first production plant for autonomous movers in Jacksonville, Florida. Holon, a subsidiary of global automotive supplier BENTELER Group, will be Florida's first automotive vehicle manufacturer.
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Holon, a leading manufacturer of autonomous, electric shuttles purpose-built to advance shared mobility and sustainable transportation, is poised has announced plans to set up its first production plant for autonomous movers in Jacksonville, Florida. Holon, a subsidiary of global automotive supplier BENTELER Group, will be Florida's first automotive vehicle manufacturer.
The approximately 500,000-square-foot facility will be constructed in Jacksonville, with completion expected in 2026. Henning von Watzdorf, CEO of Holon, said, “Today marks a significant milestone in the journey of our mover project. With openness and a supportive regulatory framework for autonomous vehicles, the U.S. offers an ideal environment for Holon’s industrial initiatives and Jacksonville has demonstrated tremendous enthusiasm for our vision from the beginning, making the city a national leader in the deployment of autonomous transit.”
Automotive-grade mover’s market readiness
Holon’s mover, a fully electric and autonomous vehicle (AV), is designed to excel in public road use by setting new benchmarks in safety, ride comfort and production quality. The mover is being developed in close collaboration with authorities to ensure it complies with relevant federal requirements, including Buy America and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), upon deployment.
With a top speed of 37mph (60kph) and a capacity for up to 15 passengers, the mover is versatile enough for various applications, from on-demand services like ride pooling and ride hailing to regularly scheduled transit operations.
Petr Marijczuk, COO of Holon, added, “We are thrilled to establish our first U.S. manufacturing plant in Jacksonville, marking a milestone not just for Holon, but for Florida, the United States, and the global autonomous vehicle industry. After an initial ramp-up phase, Holon anticipates creating up to 150 jobs by 2027. Our Jacksonville plant will produce approximately 5,000 autonomous movers annually, making them more accessible and quicker to the market worldwide."
Prototypes of the mover will be available later this year, with the first vehicles set to be deployed in pilot projects by early 2026. Targeting municipalities, private operators, and institutions such as airports, campuses, planned communities, healthcare facilities and national parks, the early interest in reserving this limited series of prototypes highlights the growing demand for a flexible, cost-effective mobility solution that can adapt to diverse environments and operational needs.
Benteler Mobility to collaborate with Beep Partner in the US
Holon’s mover will be made available in the U.S. through Benteler Mobility in collaboration with Beep, Inc., a leading provider of autonomous shared mobility solutions. Benteler Mobility will offer comprehensive services for the purchase and implementation of these cutting-edge autonomous vehicles, while Beep, an Orlando-based company, will provide the services and software to deploy, manage and operate the autonomous vehicles to ensure smooth planning and deployment.
“The future of transportation hinges on the integration of these purpose-built autonomous, electric shuttles into our mobility networks. Beep is leading the industry with our AI-enabled AutonomOS™ platform, which transforms how we plan, deploy and manage autonomous mobility networks.
“Holon’s next-generation mover, manufactured locally in the U.S., represents an unprecedented step forward in this field. It will play a key role in reducing congestion, eliminating carbon emissions and improving safety on our roadways,” said Joe Moye, CEO of Beep.
“Leveraging Holon's local manufacturing and the strategic partnership with Beep, we can provide our customers with an integrated, end-to-end solution, starting with the vehicle and spanning all the way to infrastructure enablement, along with attractive financing services,” said Tobias Liebelt, General Manager Benteler Mobility.
Holon’s new plant in Jacksonville will complement its regional headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The BENTELER Group, Holon’s parent company, operates six locations across the U.S., employing around 1,700 people. Holon states that it is planning further expansion with additional production sites in the future.