Posted on the 30th March 2026 in PHTM News

UBER TO AQUIRE GLOBAL CHAUFFEUR SERVICE BLACKLANE

In a significant move to dominate the luxury and executive travel markets, Uber Technologies announced an agreement today to acquire Blacklane, the Berlin-based chauffeur service. The deal, expected to close by the end of 2026 pending regulatory approval, marks a strategic pivot for Uber as it seeks to integrate premium, professional transport into its global mobility portfolio.

Founded in 2011, Blacklane has established itself as a premier provider for corporate executives and discerning travellers, operating a digital platform that connects users with independent chauffeurs in more than 500 cities across 60 countries. This acquisition is poised to accelerate the expansion of Uber Elite, the company’s recently launched chauffeur division, while building on the momentum of Uber Reserve, which has emerged as one of the platform's fastest-growing segments.

As the demand for scheduled, high-quality executive transport continues to rise, Uber’s absorption of Blacklane’s established network aims to solidify its position as a "best-in-class" service provider on a global scale.

While the financial terms were not disclosed, the merger represents a major consolidation in the high-end mobility sector, bridging the gap between traditional ride-sharing and elite professional livery services.

Dr Jens Wohltorf, CEO of Blacklane said: "Today is a momentous day for the German scale-up community, the mobility industry, for Blacklane, and for me and my co-founder Frank personally.

"Almost 15 years after starting out in a one-room office in Berlin, and as the largest player in our sector, we are entering the next phase of our journey.

"We announce an agreement for our global chauffeur service to be acquired by the mobility industry leader Uber. As I said to our phenomenal crew at Blacklane today: take a deep breath.

"We founded Blacklane to remove friction from travel - to make moving around the world feel effortless. We built Blacklane in response to a clear demand for a consistently high-quality global chauffeur service that is enjoyable, reliable, and simple to book and manage. Now, together we are bringing our commitment to consistent excellence and attention to every detail of the journey, and combining it with Uber’s global scale and technology.

"We move forward with our focus firmly on the things that make Blacklane special. Uber is the right partner for Blacklane. We have each reshaped our respective categories, and we are united in our ambition to be best-in-class.

"To say our next chapter will be powerful is an understatement.

"Thank you to every guest, every chauffeur delivering exceptional service around the world, to our clients, to our shareholders, and to each and every Blacklaner who has shaped this business into something truly magical. We could not have done it without you. Here’s to the goals and visions that make businesses move. Our next milestone is waiting."


Read another story