Holon to Establish Autonomous Electric Shuttle Factory in Florida, Paving the Way for Future Mobility!
By Ashutosh Arora
Holon, a subsidiary of global automotive supplier BENTELER Group, has announced plans to build its first U.S. production plant in Jacksonville, Florida. This state-of-the-art facility, covering 500,000 square feet, will manufacture autonomous electric shuttles, marking Florida’s first automotive vehicle manufacturing plant. The factory is expected to be completed by 2026.
CEO Henning von Watzdorf described the project as a “significant milestone,” highlighting Jacksonville’s proactive embrace of autonomous transit. The facility will focus on producing Holon’s fully electric autonomous mover, designed for public roads and capable of carrying up to 15 passengers at speeds of up to 37 mph. The vehicle will support ride-pooling, ride-hailing, and public transit applications, while complying with U.S. federal requirements, including the Buy America Act and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
Holon expects the Jacksonville plant to create up to 150 jobs by 2027 and aims to produce 5,000 autonomous movers annually. The company plans to launch prototypes later this year, with pilot program deployments beginning in early 2026. Target sectors include municipalities, airports, campuses, and healthcare facilities.
Collaborating with Benteler Mobility and Beep, Inc., Holon will leverage Benteler’s expertise in vehicle purchasing and implementation while Beep provides software and services for managing autonomous vehicle deployment. Joe Moye, CEO of Beep, emphasized the potential of the partnership to reduce congestion, lower emissions, and improve road safety, offering a comprehensive mobility solution for customers.
