Uber Japan Partners with Nissan to Bolster Premium Vehicle Supply for Taxi Operators
On May 18, 2026, Uber Japan announced a partnership with Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. To meet the surging demand for its Uber Premium service, Uber will support partner taxi companies in introducing Nissan's new premium minivan, the Elgrand, which is set for release this summer. This initiative aims to strengthen the supply base for premium vehicles, addressing the needs of high-end customers, including domestic and international travelers.
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- 📰 Published: May 18, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 18, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 20, 2026 at 05:59 (43h 28m after Collected)
On Monday, May 18, 2026, Uber Japan Inc. announced the commencement of a support program for taxi operators offering the "Uber Premium" service. Based on a partnership with Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., the program facilitates the introduction of Nissan's new premium minivan, the Elgrand, scheduled for release this summer.
This initiative aims to reinforce the supply infrastructure to support the sustainable growth of Uber Premium in response to rapidly expanding demand. Uber intends to support the adoption of the new Elgrand, as well as the Nissan Serena, which has already begun to be introduced, for taxi purposes.
Demand for Uber Premium is currently surging due to a rapid increase in domestic and international travel. However, taxi operators have faced challenges in procuring high-quality minivans that meet the service's premium standards in a timely manner. To address this, Uber has collaborated with Nissan to establish a framework that allows taxi operators to efficiently introduce the new Elgrand as an Uber Premium vehicle. This will enable taxi companies partnered with Uber to effectively capture the growing demand from high-end clientele.
The new Elgrand, joining the Uber Premium lineup, is a luxury minivan designed with the concept of "The private MAGLEV," intended to provide the exhilaration of an extraordinary journey. It will offer Uber Premium customers an exceptionally quiet and comfortable ride experience, akin to a private lounge.
Comment from Shiro Yamanaka, Representative General Manager of Uber Japan Inc.:
"We are delighted to announce this new initiative with Nissan. This partnership is a crucial step in strengthening the supply base for Uber Premium and supporting its growth. We are confident that the new Elgrand will offer our customers a more sophisticated travel experience than ever before. This collaboration with Nissan, a leading Japanese automaker, is not just about enhancing our current services but is also an important step towards realizing next-generation mobility services in the future."
Through the introduction of the new Elgrand, Uber will continue to meet the diversifying needs of its customers by providing an even more refined and comfortable mobility experience.
## About Uber
Uber Technologies is a U.S.-based technology company aiming to create a world where anyone can move safely, easily, and comfortably at the touch of a button. Originating from its founder's simple question, "What if you could request a ride from your phone?", the company launched its app-based ride-hailing service in San Francisco in 2010. Today, Uber operates a platform that is changing the way people and things move—including not only rides but also food, groceries, and daily necessities—in over 70 countries and 15,000 cities, supporting approximately 50 languages.
## About Uber Japan Inc.
Uber Japan Inc. operates the ride-hailing platform "Uber" in Japan, connecting drivers and riders on demand. The company partners with approximately 1,000 taxi firms to offer "Uber Taxi" in all 47 prefectures. It also provides the "Uber Premium" service, which dispatches premium hire cars and vans for up to five passengers, in nine prefectures, including Sapporo, the 23 wards of Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Additionally, Uber Japan supports government-partnered paid passenger transport services (public ridesharing) in locations such as Kyotango City (Kyoto) and Beppu City (Oita), and since April 2024, has supported the private vehicle utilization business (Japan-style ridesharing) in partnership with taxi companies.
*This initiative is separate from the robocar partnership with Nissan and Wayve announced in March of this year.
This initiative aims to reinforce the supply infrastructure to support the sustainable growth of Uber Premium in response to rapidly expanding demand. Uber intends to support the adoption of the new Elgrand, as well as the Nissan Serena, which has already begun to be introduced, for taxi purposes.
Demand for Uber Premium is currently surging due to a rapid increase in domestic and international travel. However, taxi operators have faced challenges in procuring high-quality minivans that meet the service's premium standards in a timely manner. To address this, Uber has collaborated with Nissan to establish a framework that allows taxi operators to efficiently introduce the new Elgrand as an Uber Premium vehicle. This will enable taxi companies partnered with Uber to effectively capture the growing demand from high-end clientele.
The new Elgrand, joining the Uber Premium lineup, is a luxury minivan designed with the concept of "The private MAGLEV," intended to provide the exhilaration of an extraordinary journey. It will offer Uber Premium customers an exceptionally quiet and comfortable ride experience, akin to a private lounge.
Comment from Shiro Yamanaka, Representative General Manager of Uber Japan Inc.:
"We are delighted to announce this new initiative with Nissan. This partnership is a crucial step in strengthening the supply base for Uber Premium and supporting its growth. We are confident that the new Elgrand will offer our customers a more sophisticated travel experience than ever before. This collaboration with Nissan, a leading Japanese automaker, is not just about enhancing our current services but is also an important step towards realizing next-generation mobility services in the future."
Through the introduction of the new Elgrand, Uber will continue to meet the diversifying needs of its customers by providing an even more refined and comfortable mobility experience.
## About Uber
Uber Technologies is a U.S.-based technology company aiming to create a world where anyone can move safely, easily, and comfortably at the touch of a button. Originating from its founder's simple question, "What if you could request a ride from your phone?", the company launched its app-based ride-hailing service in San Francisco in 2010. Today, Uber operates a platform that is changing the way people and things move—including not only rides but also food, groceries, and daily necessities—in over 70 countries and 15,000 cities, supporting approximately 50 languages.
## About Uber Japan Inc.
Uber Japan Inc. operates the ride-hailing platform "Uber" in Japan, connecting drivers and riders on demand. The company partners with approximately 1,000 taxi firms to offer "Uber Taxi" in all 47 prefectures. It also provides the "Uber Premium" service, which dispatches premium hire cars and vans for up to five passengers, in nine prefectures, including Sapporo, the 23 wards of Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Additionally, Uber Japan supports government-partnered paid passenger transport services (public ridesharing) in locations such as Kyotango City (Kyoto) and Beppu City (Oita), and since April 2024, has supported the private vehicle utilization business (Japan-style ridesharing) in partnership with taxi companies.
*This initiative is separate from the robocar partnership with Nissan and Wayve announced in March of this year.