TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Uber Technologies announced on Monday (June 9) that it has acquired Crown Taxi (皇冠大車隊), one of the island's most established taxi fleets, in a significant move that reshapes Taiwan's transportation landscape. The deal, which remains subject to regulatory approval from Taiwan's transportation authorities, signals the global ride-hailing giant's deepening commitment to the competitive East Asian market. Margarita Peker, general manager at Uber Taiwan, emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition during a Taipei press conference. Taiwan represents one of the world's most sophisticated and competitive digital ride-hailing ecosystems, Peker noted, describing the purchase as a reflection of Uber's long-term investment strategy in the region.
The acquisition builds upon Uber's extensive history in Taiwan, where the company has navigated complex regulatory environments while forging partnerships with local transportation providers for more than ten years. Peker expressed optimism about the deal's potential to expand mobility options for Taiwanese consumers while strengthening the company's collaborative relationship with government regulators. Crown Taxi, founded in 2011 as a traditional dispatch service, has evolved significantly since initiating its strategic partnership with Uber in 2017, when it began connecting its professional drivers to customers through Uber's digital platform. Both companies emphasized their commitment to implementing a seamless integration process that minimizes disruption to drivers and passengers alike.
The acquisition represents a pivotal moment for Crown Taxi's workforce and business trajectory, according to its Chairman Wu Chun-te (吳俊德), who addressed concerns about preserving the company's identity. This collaboration creates expanded development opportunities for our drivers while honoring the reputation for quality service we've cultivated over 13 years, Wu pointed out during the joint announcement. Uber executives detailed their implementation strategy, explaining that the integration will follow a dual-layer operational model that combines platform technology with fleet management systems. This approach mirrors successful integration patterns Uber has deployed following similar acquisitions in other competitive markets around the world. ◼