Newmo Group Expands Taxi Fleet by Acquiring Asahi Motor Group in Osaka
In a significant move, Newmo Group has announced the acquisition of three companies from the Asahi Motor Group, solidifying its dominance in the Osaka taxi market. This strategic decision, effective July 31, 2026, involves the full acquisition of Asahi Motor Daiichi, Asahi Motor Daini, and Asahi Motor Daisan, all of which are connected to Oriental Taxi Corporation based in Kobe, Hyogo. With this acquisition, Newmo is set to enhance its fleet in Osaka, achieving the title of largest taxi operator in the region.
Founded in January 2024, Newmo is a mobility startup on a mission to “Colorfully Move the Community.” It operates multiple services including taxi operations, workforce solutions, and autonomous taxi initiatives. Since its inception, Newmo has integrated four taxi operators into its group, increasing its vehicle count to around 1,000 and employing over 1,600 personnel to support transportation across the Osaka area. A key focus for Newmo is the future implementation of autonomous taxis, leveraging its strong operational technology base.
The Asahi Motor Group has a rich history of serving the Osaka community for 75 years, making it one of the leading taxi companies in the region. By merging their industry experience with Newmo’s innovative approaches, the two organizations aim to bolster public transportation services in Osaka, ultimately striving towards sustainable travel solutions. The specific acquisition price remains undisclosed.
Moreover, this acquisition will elevate Newmo’s fleet to a total of 1,227 vehicles, marking a remarkable achievement within just two and a half years since their market entry. According to recent reports and the National Hire Taxi Directory, this makes Newmo the number one taxi company in Osaka Prefecture.
The taxi industry has faced significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a decrease of about 20% in the number of taxi drivers across the country. In response to this issue, Newmo has actively focused on hiring more drivers since its entry into the market in 2024, thereby improving operational efficiency and contributing to an increased supply of taxis.
The company has invested heavily in digital route management, streamlined hiring processes, and expanded its recruitment capacity. Consequently, the monthly hiring numbers have quadrupled (from 20 to 80 employees), and since joining the market, Newmo has onboarded over 1,100 new drivers, showcasing exceptional recruitment capabilities in Osaka.
Furthermore, the average age of newly hired drivers stands at approximately 45 years, significantly lower than the industry average of 60.2 years. About 80% of these new recruits have no prior experience, demonstrating Newmo's commitment to addressing the industry’s aging workforce by introducing younger, inexperienced drivers.
As a testament to their efforts, the taxi driver count in the Osaka area is projected to surpass pre-pandemic levels by April 2026, achieving a driver fulfillment rate of 100%, compared to the national average of 86.9% at that time.
As a result of this acquisition, Newmo will possess the largest taxi fleet in Osaka, setting a benchmark in the local transportation sector. The company is dedicated to becoming the preferred choice for customers by investing in digital transformation, unifying operations for efficiency, and enhancing recruitment efforts to improve service delivery.
In comments regarding the acquisition, Ken Sako, CEO of Oriental Taxi Corporation, expressed hopes for healthy competition between mobility ventures following Newmo's rise to prominence in the Osaka market. Naoki Aoyagi, President of Newmo, emphasized respect for Asahi Motor's historical pride while looking forward to integrating Newmo’s technology and framework to create a brighter future for transportation in Osaka.
The Asahi Motor Group consists of three companies: Asahi Motor Daiichi, Asahi Motor Daini, and Asahi Motor Daisan, established in December 1950. They have been pivotal in providing passenger transport services in Osaka for decades, operating a fleet of 168 vehicles. The acquisition marks a new chapter for Newmo as it builds upon the foundation laid by Asahi Motor and navigates the evolving transportation landscape in the region.
Newmo is a mobility startup aiming to enhance community transportation through taxis and autonomous vehicle initiatives. With approximately 1,400 vehicles and over 2,400 employees since its establishment, the company continues to seek partnerships and collaborations with taxi operators nationwide to further its mission.
Founded in January 2024, Newmo is a mobility startup on a mission to “Colorfully Move the Community.” It operates multiple services including taxi operations, workforce solutions, and autonomous taxi initiatives. Since its inception, Newmo has integrated four taxi operators into its group, increasing its vehicle count to around 1,000 and employing over 1,600 personnel to support transportation across the Osaka area. A key focus for Newmo is the future implementation of autonomous taxis, leveraging its strong operational technology base.
The Asahi Motor Group has a rich history of serving the Osaka community for 75 years, making it one of the leading taxi companies in the region. By merging their industry experience with Newmo’s innovative approaches, the two organizations aim to bolster public transportation services in Osaka, ultimately striving towards sustainable travel solutions. The specific acquisition price remains undisclosed.
Moreover, this acquisition will elevate Newmo’s fleet to a total of 1,227 vehicles, marking a remarkable achievement within just two and a half years since their market entry. According to recent reports and the National Hire Taxi Directory, this makes Newmo the number one taxi company in Osaka Prefecture.
Newmo’s Initiatives and Achievements in Osaka
The taxi industry has faced significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a decrease of about 20% in the number of taxi drivers across the country. In response to this issue, Newmo has actively focused on hiring more drivers since its entry into the market in 2024, thereby improving operational efficiency and contributing to an increased supply of taxis.
The company has invested heavily in digital route management, streamlined hiring processes, and expanded its recruitment capacity. Consequently, the monthly hiring numbers have quadrupled (from 20 to 80 employees), and since joining the market, Newmo has onboarded over 1,100 new drivers, showcasing exceptional recruitment capabilities in Osaka.
Furthermore, the average age of newly hired drivers stands at approximately 45 years, significantly lower than the industry average of 60.2 years. About 80% of these new recruits have no prior experience, demonstrating Newmo's commitment to addressing the industry’s aging workforce by introducing younger, inexperienced drivers.
As a testament to their efforts, the taxi driver count in the Osaka area is projected to surpass pre-pandemic levels by April 2026, achieving a driver fulfillment rate of 100%, compared to the national average of 86.9% at that time.
Reaching the Top: Newmo Group in Osaka
As a result of this acquisition, Newmo will possess the largest taxi fleet in Osaka, setting a benchmark in the local transportation sector. The company is dedicated to becoming the preferred choice for customers by investing in digital transformation, unifying operations for efficiency, and enhancing recruitment efforts to improve service delivery.
In comments regarding the acquisition, Ken Sako, CEO of Oriental Taxi Corporation, expressed hopes for healthy competition between mobility ventures following Newmo's rise to prominence in the Osaka market. Naoki Aoyagi, President of Newmo, emphasized respect for Asahi Motor's historical pride while looking forward to integrating Newmo’s technology and framework to create a brighter future for transportation in Osaka.
Overview of Asahi Motor Group
The Asahi Motor Group consists of three companies: Asahi Motor Daiichi, Asahi Motor Daini, and Asahi Motor Daisan, established in December 1950. They have been pivotal in providing passenger transport services in Osaka for decades, operating a fleet of 168 vehicles. The acquisition marks a new chapter for Newmo as it builds upon the foundation laid by Asahi Motor and navigates the evolving transportation landscape in the region.
About Newmo
Newmo is a mobility startup aiming to enhance community transportation through taxis and autonomous vehicle initiatives. With approximately 1,400 vehicles and over 2,400 employees since its establishment, the company continues to seek partnerships and collaborations with taxi operators nationwide to further its mission.
Topics Consumer Products & Retail）
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