Markus Schlitt appointed CEO of Holon to lead market launch of Urban driverless shuttle

Holon, the autonomous mobility subsidiary of Benteler Group and Tasaru Mobility Investments (Saudi investor) rebranded in 2022, is preparing for series production and market rollout of its first fully electric autonomous shuttle, the Holon Urban, under a new CEO.

Markus Schlitt will take over as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director starting May 1, 2025, succeeding Henning von Watzdorf, who is in discussions for a new leadership role within Benteler, according to a press information shared by the group.

Holon urban shuttle will on trial in 2025 in Hamburg

Holon recently announced the name of its inaugural model: Holon Urban. Designed for use in local public transport, ridepooling, and campus environments, the shuttle is fully electric, autonomous, and accessible. It accommodates up to 15 passengers, operates at speeds up to 60 km/h, and is built to meet global automotive safety standards.

The first on-road tests of Holon Urban are scheduled for 2025 in Hamburg, Germany, as part of a pilot program exploring integration into existing urban mobility infrastructure.

The Holon Urban vehicle features a comprehensive suite of advanced sensors, including lidar, radar, and camera systems. It integrates six short-range and three long-range lidar units for precise environmental mapping. Six radar sensors enhance object detection across varying distances. Eleven Level 2 camera systems provide detailed visual data from multiple angles. Combined with intelligent software, these technologies enable Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities.

Ralf Göttel, CEO of Benteler, stated: “Development of our autonomous shuttle is progressing. Since late 2024, prototypes have been in testing, and with the appointment of Markus Schlitt—an experienced leader in smart mobility—we are strengthening the team for the next phase.”

Schlitt joins Holon after holding the CEO role at Yunex Traffic Group, a global provider of intelligent traffic systems. His earlier experience includes leading Siemens Mobility’s Intelligent Traffic Systems division. He will work alongside Clemens Rengier (CFO) and Flavio Friesen (CTO) to oversee product readiness and integration into public mobility networks.

Outgoing CEO Henning von Watzdorf is credited with advancing critical phases in the company’s development, including securing investment from TASARU Mobility Investments, selecting Jacksonville, Florida as the first production site, and launching the prototype testing program. Early purchase agreements with transport operators were also finalized during his tenure.