HOLON seals partnership for new production facility in Jacksonville – milestone for urban mobility and local economy

Jacksonville, USA, 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 benefit in particular.

“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.