HOLON, together with its partner InLight, signed a Term Sheet for the construction of its first production facility in the US. 

The signing ceremony in Jacksonville marks the official start of industrial production of the HOLON urban, an autonomous, electric shuttle for public transportation.

Economic Impact on the Region

The new facility will be approximately 580,000 square feet and will be the first autonomous vehicle production facility in Florida. Construction is being carried out in cooperation with InLight Real Estate Partners, the project developer. 

The groundbreaking ceremony is planned for April 2026, and commissioning is scheduled for the second half of 2027. 

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 

In parallel to the production preparation, the technological development of the HOLON urban is progressing rapidly. 

In Hamburg, Germany, the first public road test drives began 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 in America

The HOLON urban will meet FMVSS (US vehicle safety standards), comply with the Build America, Buy America Act, and be ADA-compliant. 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, deployed in several phases, in Downtown Jacksonville. Further pilot projects are planned in the U.S. from 2026.