HOLON receives
manufacturer status
and showcases
autonomous bus
in Washington
HOLON has reached two significant milestones in the United States: This week, the company presented its autonomous bus at the prestigious Automated Vehicle Safety Public Meeting hosted by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in Washington, D.C. In addition, the company has now been officially recognized as a Transit Vehicle Manufacturer (TVM) in the United States, a key prerequisite for participating in public tenders.
The Automated Vehicle Safety Public Meeting is one of the most important platforms for the further development of safe automated vehicle systems. Organized by the NHTSA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation, the event brings together policymakers and industry leaders. The conference was opened by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy. HOLON presented its bus, the HOLON urban, alongside its sister company Benteler Mobility and was honored by a visit of Secretary Duffy during his subsequent tour.
“Here in Washington, HOLON has the opportunity to demonstrate to high-ranking political representatives and leading autonomous mobility providers such as Waymo, Zoox and Tesla that the HOLON urban meets the highest technical standards,” says Tobias Liebelt, CEO Benteler Mobility. “Safety is the central guiding principle in the development of vehicles, which are specifically designed for shared autonomous mobility. We are proud to cooperate with HOLON, which is the only manufacturer with European roots to present a vehicle at this prestigious event, and we greatly appreciate the strong interest shown by Secretary Duffy during his visit.”
North American activities gain momentum
HOLON has also recently been officially listed as a Transit Vehicle Manufacturer (TVM) in the United States. “This recognition marks an important step for us,” explains Sven Herzig, Chief Sales Officer of HOLON. “It confirms that we are on the right regulatory path and creates the foundation for resilient partnerships with U.S. transportation authorities.”
Building on the BENTELER Group’s 45-year history and substantial footprint in the U.S. as its parent company, HOLON will systematically expand its presence across North America. Planning for the production facility in Jacksonville is progressing, and a pilot project with the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) is currently being prepared. In addition, HOLON and Benteler Mobility have entered a strategic partnership with the mobility platform CharterUP. The shared objective is clear: bringing autonomous mobility into everyday traffic.
360-degree solution accelerates transition to commercial operation
Integration with its sister companies Benteler Mobility and ioki, the leading European provider of software-based mobility solutions, gives HOLON a clear market advantage. Together, they enable partners to roll out a full 360-degree turnkey solution for autonomous mobility that encompasses software, operations, and vehicle platforms.
"By working closely with our partners and customers worldwide, we are transforming proven engineering and industry know-how into scalable, sustainable mobility," explains Herzig. The impact is tangible: operators reduce costs and optimize service coverage, communities connect underserved areas, and passengers gain reliable access to mobility – independent of location, time of day or physical ability."
The BENTELER Group, the parent company of HOLON, employs approximately 1,700 people across six facilities in the US. Over the past 15 years, the company has invested around $1.2 billion in the United States.
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