PTC's Windchill+ Powering HOLON's Development of One of the World's First Automotive-Standard Level-4 EVs
Rhea-AI Summary
PTC (NASDAQ: PTC) announced that HOLON, a BENTELER Group subsidiary, is using Windchill+ cloud PLM to develop the HOLON urban, an automotive‑standard Level‑4 autonomous electric vehicle designed for up to 15 passengers with barrier‑free access.
HOLON implemented Windchill+ in six months, replacing manual, paper‑based workflows with a fully digital product development environment to connect teams across design and future manufacturing sites in Germany and the United States. The company says this digital foundation supports a five‑year production timeline and aims to accelerate AI‑driven transformation, quality, and regulatory compliance.
Positive
- Windchill+ implemented in six months
- Level‑4 autonomous EV development for up to 15 passengers
- Digital PLM to connect design and future manufacturing in Germany and the United States
Negative
- None.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus 1 Up
PTC gained 1.44% while peers were mixed: TYL (+0.53%), ZM (+0.24%), GWRE (+1.19%), HUBS (+1.68%), SSNC (-0.49%). The move appears more stock-specific than a broad sector rotation.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 09 | AI product launch | Positive | -0.7% | Introduction of Arena AI Engine to automate PLM and QMS workflows. |
| Dec 04 | CFO transition | Neutral | -2.5% | Announcement of new CFO effective Jan 1, 2026 with guidance affirmed. |
| Nov 19 | Customer expansion | Positive | -0.7% | Garrett Motion expanding use of Codebeamer+ and Windchill+ with Onshape. |
| Nov 05 | Business divestiture | Positive | -1.1% | Agreement to sell Kepware and ThingWorx to focus on core lifecycle stack. |
| Nov 05 | Earnings results | Positive | -1.1% | Strong Q4/FY25 results with double-digit cash flow growth and FY26 guidance. |
Recent PTC news, including strong FY25 results and strategic product/AI updates, was followed by modestly negative next-day moves, indicating a pattern of muted-to-negative reactions even to generally positive headlines.
Over the last few months, PTC has emphasized its Intelligent Product Lifecycle strategy. On Nov 5, 2025, it reported Q4 revenue of $894M, FY25 operating cash flow of $868M, and free cash flow of $857M, alongside FY26 ARR growth guidance of 7%–9%, yet the stock fell about 1%. Subsequent updates on divesting Kepware and ThingWorx, expanding with Garrett Motion, announcing a new CFO, and launching the Arena AI Engine all saw small negative price reactions, suggesting investors reacted cautiously to news flow even when strategically positive.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement underscores PTC’s push to embed Windchill+ at innovative manufacturers, with HOLON using the SaaS PLM platform to develop an autonomous Level-4 EV carrying up to 15 passengers on a five-year timeline. Recent history shows multiple strategic updates and strong FY25 results with robust cash flow, yet often followed by muted or negative price reactions. Investors may watch how additional design wins, progress on divestitures, and execution on the Intelligent Product Lifecycle vision translate into sustained demand for PTC’s SaaS portfolio.
Key Terms
electric vehicle (ev) technical
product lifecycle management (plm) technical
oem technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
- Leveraging Windchill+ to develop the HOLON urban for emission-free, safe, comfortable, and inclusive passenger transportation
- Replacing manual processes with cloud-based PLM to speed up development, enhance productivity, and connect teams to achieve a five-year production timeline
HOLON is dedicated to reshaping public transportation with inclusive, autonomous, and sustainable mobility solutions. Its first vehicle, the HOLON urban, will offer fully barrier-free access and space for up to 15 passengers and is designed for scheduled routes, on-demand service, ride-pooling, and goods transport. To support development, HOLON has introduced a flexible production concept that allows multiple vehicle variants to be built on the same assembly line, improving efficiency while advancing the company's sustainability goals.
HOLON implemented Windchill+ in six months, creating a fully digital product development environment that replaces manual, paper-based processes with modern workflows. With real-time access to accurate product information through cloud-based PLM, teams can collaborate more efficiently across the development center and future manufacturing sites in
"Building on nearly 150 years of BENTELER's automotive expertise, HOLON is evolving into a next-generation OEM with a clear focus on people and the planet," said Dr. Sven Herzig, Chief Sales Officer, HOLON. "The go-live of Windchill+ is a key milestone in the development of the HOLON urban and reflects our commitment to delivering EV vehicles that redefine mobility for communities around the world."
"Automakers are navigating a pivotal moment as vehicles become increasingly electric, connected, autonomous, and software-defined," said Robert Dahdah, Chief Revenue Officer, PTC. "With Windchill+, HOLON has the foundation to manage that complexity and drive toward their vision of transforming public mobility."
With Windchill+ and the rest of its portfolio, PTC is delivering on its vision for the Intelligent Product Lifecycle: enabling manufacturers and product companies to build a product data foundation in engineering and extend the value of that data across their enterprise. With a product data foundation, companies like HOLON can also accelerate AI-driven transformation across their organization. Broader use of product data enables companies to bring higher quality products to market faster, better manage product complexity, meet regulatory and compliance standards, and much more.
To learn more about Windchill+, visit www.ptc.com/en/products/windchill-plus.
About HOLON
HOLON is one of the first vehicle manufacturers for autonomous movers with the standards and scaling potential that we know from the automotive industry. With their platform technology, vehicle expertise and strong partner network, their goal is to redefine passenger transport. To this end, HOLON works with technology companies, local public transport companies and mobility-as-a-service providers. HOLON is a subsidiary of the BENTELER Group and TASARU.
About PTC
PTC (NASDAQ: PTC) is a global software company that enables manufacturers and product companies to digitally transform how they design, manufacture, and service the physical products that the world relies on. Headquartered in
Media Contact
Greg Payne
gpayne@ptc.com
Investor Contact
Matt Shimao
mshimao@ptc.com
PTC, Windchill+ and the PTC logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of the PTC Inc. and its subsidiaries in
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SOURCE PTC Inc.
FAQ
What did PTC announce about Windchill+ and HOLON on December 11, 2025?
How long did it take HOLON to implement Windchill+ for the HOLON urban development?
What are the passenger capacity and access features of the HOLON urban vehicle?
What production timeline did HOLON link to Windchill+ deployment?
Which locations will Windchill+ support HOLON's development and manufacturing?
