Holon appoints Markus Schlitt as new CEO
Holon is a joint subsidiary of the Benteler Group and Tasaru Mobility Investments. The German automotive supplier founded Holon in 2022 as a new brand for its autonomous electric shuttle buses, with Henning von Watzdorf managing the company since August 2023. In 2024, Saudi Arabian financier Tasaru Mobility Investments joined Holon, providing the millions in funding needed to push ahead with production plans for the Holon Mover.
However, Mover was only the working title of the first shuttle; the model will be launched on the market as Holon Urban, as it is specially designed for use in cities. It can transport up to 15 people at speeds of 60 kph, without a driver. The vehicle will be trialled in Hamburg, among other places.
“Development of our autonomous shuttle is in full swing. Since the end of last year, the first prototypes have been successfully undergoing test drives. Step by step, our vision of revolutionizing local public transport is becoming reality,” said Benteler CEO Ralf Göttel. “Markus Schlitt is a proven expert in intelligent urban mobility solutions. His expertise will help to further consolidate the ecosystem around our vehicles.”
Schlitt himself is a proven mobility expert. He comes from the Yunex Traffic Group, a leading global provider of intelligent transport systems, which he successfully led as CEO for several years. Prior to that, he was CEO of the Intelligent Traffic Systems business unit at Siemens Mobility for seven years. At Holon, he will work together with Clemens Rengier (CFO) and Flavio Friesen (CTO) on the management board.
Göttel also thanked the previous CEO Henning von Watzdorf. “During his time at HOLON, he was responsible for key milestones. These include the investment agreement with TASARU Mobility Investments, the decision for the first production site in Jacksonville, Florida, the successful launch and test phase of the first prototype, as well as the first purchase decisions from transportation companies,” said the Benteler CEO. Von Watzdorf himself is not mentioned in the press release, nor are the discussions about new management tasks at Benteler explained in any detail.
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