JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – HOLON, an autonomous vehicle developer, participated in a signing ceremony Monday to formalize the construction of its first production facility in the U.S., which will be located on Jacksonville’s Northside.
The signing ceremony with HOLON’s partner, InLight, marked the official start of the industrial production of the HOLON urban — an autonomous, electric shuttle for public transport.
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“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,” HOLON CFO Clemens Rengier said in a news release.
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The planned 500,000-square-foot facility will be Florida’s first automotive vehicle manufacturing plant and will create more than 800 jobs.
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.
“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.”
The groundbreaking ceremony is planned for April 2026, and commissioning is scheduled for the second half of 2027.