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The Art Basel and UBS Survey of Global Collecting 2026 reveals Gen Z as the highest-spending generation

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This year’s survey explores how high-net-worth collectors begin building their collections, highlighting the influence of family, rise in younger generations’ purchasing activity, evolving attitudes toward privacy, and the growing use of digital and AI-enabled tools for researching their purchases

HONG KONG, Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Art Basel and UBS Survey of Global Collecting 2026 by Arts Economics, reveals fresh insights into the evolving behaviors and motivations of high-net-worth (HNW) collectors. Conducted by Arts Economics in collaboration with UBS, the survey draws on responses from 3,100 HNW individuals across 10 key markets: the US, UK, Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, France, Australia, Germany, Japan, Brazil and Singapore.

Dr Clare McAndrew, Founder, Arts Economics: “This research let us look beyond what high-net-worth collectors buy to how they use their collections and what really matters to them about owning art. Attitudes towards privacy and access varied widely, challenging some established assumptions. Many purchases are driven less by the conspicuous consumption traditionally linked to the market than by a desire to build connections within close networks, where status comes less from price than from rarity, provenance, originality, and discovery. Restricting access does not remove a collection’s signaling power; exclusivity can be part of the signal. Perhaps surprisingly, the youngest collectors were the most private, both in person and online. Gen Z collectors were the least likely to share details of their collections publicly online, preferring invitation-only spaces, with privacy central to their personal and cultural identity.” 

Adrian Zuercher Adrian Zuercher, Co-Head Global Asset Allocation, Co-Head Global Investment Management APAC, UBS Global Wealth Management CIO: “The Art Basel and UBS Survey of Global Collecting 2026 by Arts Economics reveals a highly engaged and increasingly informed collector base across Asia. Mainland China recorded the highest buying intentions of any market surveyed, with 53% planning to acquire art over the next year, with high shares also found in Singapore (48%) and Japan (41%). Collectors in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Singapore are among the most research-driven and advice-oriented globally, highlighting the growing sophistication of collecting across the region.”

Key findings of the survey:

  • Gen Z emerges as the highest-spending generation of HNW collectors: In 2025 and the first half of 2026, Gen Z spent more on fine art than any other generation surveyed, with spending levels more than twice as high as those of older generations. Gen Z also made up nearly half of all collectors buying artworks priced above USD 1 million in 2026.
  • Family remains an important foundation for collecting: The survey offers the first dedicated analysis of how HNW collectors begin building their collections and finds that family is the most common route to starting a collection. While 28% of collectors reported family as their primary route into collecting, the share rose significantly to 40% among Gen Z. Almost 90% of Gen Z collectors who inherited works retained them, underscoring the enduring role of family legacy in shaping collections across generations.
  • Uniqueness and rarity stands out as the leading priority in owning art: Across generations, uniqueness and rarity ranked as the most important aspects of ownership (43%), ahead of owning works respected by experts (23%) or owning something admired in collector circles (22%). Uniqueness mattered more to Gen Z collectors (48% versus 38% of Baby Boomers).
  • Collectors have become strongly research-driven in their purchasing decisions: 72% of HNW collectors conducted moderate or significant independent research before purchasing art, up from 62% in 2025, and  rising to 80% among Gen Z collectors.
  • Digital sources and AI-enabled research tools continue to gain ground: 58% of HNW collectors used online resources for advice and recommendations, while the use of apps and AI tools rose to 22%, up from 4% in 2024.
  • Collectors continue to diversify their interests across art and collectibles: Fine art accounted for 33% of total spending across art and collectibles categories in 2026. Gen Z collectors were the highest spenders across virtually every category and, together with boomers, displayed the broadest collecting interests, with 42% of Gen Z collectors and 39% of Baby Boomers purchasing across at least two additional collecting categories outside of fine and decorative art in the last year.
  • Philanthropy and legacy planning remain important priorities: The report found that 23% of HNW collectors said they planned to donate works to museums in the coming year, while many others said they intended to support artist prizes, residencies, foundations, or private museums. Family legacy continues to play a central role in both building and preserving collections, with many collectors focused on passing collections to future generations.  

Links
www.ubs.com/artmarket

About UBS and contemporary art
Global Lead Partner of Art Basel, UBS has a long history of supporting contemporary art and artists. UBS seeks to advance the international conversation about the art market through its global lead partnership with Art Basel, and as co-publisher of the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report and the Art Basel and UBS Survey of Global Collecting. UBS also supports some of the world’s most important arts institutions, events, and fairs. The firm also has one of the world’s most significant corporate collections of contemporary art. The UBS Art Advisory supports the firm’s UHNW and family offices clients with impartial advice across the lifecycle of collecting.

About UBS
UBS is a leading and truly global wealth manager and the leading universal bank in Switzerland. It also provides diversified asset management solutions and focused investment banking capabilities. UBS manages 7.3 trillion dollars of invested assets as per the second quarter 2026. UBS helps clients achieve their financial goals through personalized advice, solutions and products. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, the firm is operating in more than 50 markets around the globe. UBS Group shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
www.ubs.com/media

Dhaya Maju Infrastructure (Asia) Sdn. Berhad: 30 Years of Building the Infrastructure That Connects Malaysia

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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 October 2026 – Dhaya Maju Infrastructure (Asia) Sdn. Berhad (DMIA), a Malaysian infrastructure engineering and mobility company, marks more than three decades of delivering complex infrastructure projects across the country.

Dhaya Maju Infrastructure (Asia) Sdn. Berhad Group Executive Director, Datuk Seri (Dr.) Subramaniam Pillai representing the Company at the ACES Awards 2026, where DMIA was recognised as a winner for Industry Champions of the Year, celebrating corporate leadership, excellence and sustainable business practices.
Dhaya Maju Infrastructure (Asia) Sdn. Berhad Group Executive Director, Datuk Seri (Dr.) Subramaniam Pillai representing the Company at the ACES Awards 2026, where DMIA was recognised as a winner for Industry Champions of the Year, celebrating corporate leadership, excellence and sustainable business practices.

DMIA’s journey began in property and high-rise development, spanning projects for roughly 2,000 households, before evolving into a company focused on infrastructure engineering and mobility. Today, its portfolio spans railways, highways, transport systems, power infrastructure and sustainable energy.

DMIA has contributed to several nationally significant projects. On the Pan Borneo Highway in Sarawak, its work has strengthened connectivity between interior regions and urban centres, boosting mobility and economic activity across East Malaysia. On the Klang Valley Double Track (KVDT) railway programme, DMIA delivered track, signalling and telecommunications works across approximately 256 track kilometres and 110 route kilometres, helping bring the line to Electric Train Service readiness as part of the wider Peninsular Malaysia rail network stretching roughly 1,000 kilometres from Thailand to Singapore.

The company has also taken on more technically complex work, including – as part of a consortium – the upgrading of Malaysia’s first Aerotrain system at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), demonstrating its ability to manage demanding projects with intricate interfaces and diverse stakeholders.

Looking ahead, DMIA is expanding into green and sustainable energy, including large-scale solar and smart battery storage, reflecting its ambition to support both connectivity and Malaysia’s transition to a more sustainable future.

“Infrastructure is about people,” said a DMIA spokesperson. “Roads connect communities, railways connect cities, airports connect nations, and energy connects economies. As we enter our next chapter, we remain committed to bringing together infrastructure, mobility, technology and sustainability to create lasting impact for Malaysians.”

DMIA is ready for the future – connecting places, opportunities and people, and aspiring to be a champion in building the infrastructure of tomorrow.

Hashtag: #DMIA

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Tune Protect Expands Embedded Travel Protection Offering with Airpaz Across Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines

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Building on its Malaysia launch last year, the expanded partnership makes travel insurance more accessible by embedding protection into the flight booking journey across four markets.


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 October 2026 – Tune Protect Group Berhad (“Tune Protect” or “the Group”), through its reinsurance arm Tune Protect Re (“TPR”), has expanded its partnership with online booking platform Airpaz to offer embedded travel insurance solutions across Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, following the successful launch of the offering in Malaysia last year. The regional expansion makes travel protection more accessible to customers by seamlessly integrating insurance into their flight booking journey.

(Left to Right) Janet Chin, Chief Executive Officer of Tune Protect Re and Wesley, Chief Partnership Officer of Airpaz
(Left to Right) Janet Chin, Chief Executive Officer of Tune Protect Re and Wesley, Chief Partnership Officer of Airpaz

The partnership forms part of Tune Protect’s regional growth strategy to expand its travel insurance footprint across key digital travel ecosystems in Asia, leveraging its travel expertise and regional partnerships to reach a broader customer base.

Through the Airpaz platform, travellers can conveniently purchase travel insurance as part of their flight booking experience. The offering is now available across Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, four key Southeast Asian travel markets with strong digital adoption and growing demand for accessible travel protection.

The offering is supported by Tune Protect Re, working with Tune Protect Malaysia as its insurance partner in Malaysia, alongside regional insurance partners Oona Insurance Indonesia in Indonesia, Krungthai Panich Insurance in Thailand, and Pioneer Insurance & Surety Corporation in the Philippines. Together, these partnerships bring regional expertise and travel insurance capabilities to deliver seamless protection solutions to travellers across these markets.

As travellers increasingly seek convenient and digital-first solutions, embedded insurance continues to gain traction as a seamless way to access protection. The integration allows customers to obtain coverage instantly during the booking process, with digital policy issuance, easy access to policy information, and convenient claims support, delivering a seamless digital first experience for travellers.

“Following its activation in Malaysia, the offering has expanded into Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, strengthening Tune Protect’s regional presence and supporting our growth strategy. These markets are important to us given their larger and growing traveller populations, strong digital adoption and increasing demand for travel protection. Through collaborations with trusted partners across the travel ecosystem, we remain focused on broadening access to travel protection and delivering solutions that meet the evolving needs of travellers across Southeast Asia,” said Janet Chin, Chief Executive Officer of Tune Protect Re.

Janet added, “At Tune Protect Re, we believe travel protection should be a natural extension of the travel booking journey. By integrating insurance directly into the Airpaz platform, we are making it easier for travellers to access protection when planning their trips, helping them travel with greater confidence and peace of mind. We also see opportunities to further strengthen this collaboration in other markets across the region as we continue to support a more connected and protected travel experience.”

“Through this partnership, we are enhancing the overall travel booking experience by offering customers an easier and more convenient way to access the travel protection directly on our platform,” said Wesley, Chief Partnership Officer of Airpaz. “As travellers increasingly seek integrated solutions that offer both convenience and peace of mind, this partnership allows us to deliver greater value throughout the travel booking journey.”

Customers can purchase travel insurance directly during the flight booking process on the Airpaz website or mobile application. Policies are issued instantly, with coverage details readily available in digital format. The offering is complemented by customer service, digital self-options, and claims support channels designed to assist travellers throughout their journey.

For more information on the travel insurance products available through this partnership, customers may visit Airpaz Malaysia at https://www.airpaz.com/ms, Indonesia at https://www.airpaz.com/id, Thailand at https://www.airpaz.com/th or the Philippines at https://www.airpaz.com/tl during the booking process or refer to www.tuneprotect.com for coverage details and policy information.

Hashtag: #TuneProtect

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

1exchange and Ondo Finance Partner to Expand Access to Tokenized Equities

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1exchange and Ondo Finance explore opportunities around tokenized equities and regulated secondary market access for eligible investors in Asia.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 October 2026 – 1exchange, a regulated real-world asset (RWA) exchange for the listing and trading of tokenized securities, today announced a collaboration with Ondo Finance to explore the potential availability of Ondo Stocks on 1exchange’s regulated marketplace, providing eligible investors in Asia with an additional venue to access tokenized equities through a MAS-regulated platform. Specific assets and availability remain subject to due diligence, applicable listing requirements and other relevant conditions.
Tokenized public equities have emerged as a growing category within the RWA market, giving investors on-chain access to traditional financial assets. As the market develops, the next phase is increasingly focused not only on issuance and primary distribution, but also on the infrastructure required for secondary trading, settlement and broader market participation.
A regulated secondary market provides a venue for tokenized assets beyond their primary distribution channels. Through 1exchange, eligible investors can trade listed RWA security tokens through an automated order-matching system, with transactions settled within the platform.
As part of its broader RWA strategy, 1exchange continues to engage with partners across the RWA ecosystem, including Ondo Finance, as it explores opportunities to expand its marketplace. Ondo Finance is a leading participant in the tokenized asset ecosystem, developing blockchain-based financial products that provide investors with access to tokenized real-world assets, including tokenized equities.
1exchange is building a diverse ecosystem of tokenized RWA securities, working with a range of issuers and market leaders to broaden the opportunities available through its platform. Powered by CapBridge, a Capital Markets Services licence holder supporting primary distribution, 1exchange provides an integrated infrastructure spanning the end-to-end RWA lifecycle — from tokenization and issuance to primary distribution and regulated secondary market trading.
“Tokenization has demonstrated how traditional assets can be represented on-chain. The next step is developing the market infrastructure that allows those assets to be accessed and traded beyond their primary distribution channels,” said Sheena Lim, CEO of 1exchange. “We are continuing to explore opportunities across the RWA ecosystem, including with partners such as Ondo Finance, as we continue to develop 1exchange as a regulated secondary market for tokenized securities.”

Hashtag: #RWA #Tokenization #TokenizedSecurities #TokenizedEquities #DigitalAssets #CapitalMarkets #FinTech #RealWorldAssets



The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About 1exchange

1exchange, a member of FOMO Group, is a Recognised Market Operator (RMO) licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). 1exchange provides regulated market infrastructure for listing and secondary trading of tokenized securities and private market opportunities, supporting issuers and eligible investors across the evolving real-world asset ecosystem.
Visit www.1x.exchange for more information. For media inquiries, please contact media@1x.exchange.
Disclaimer
This announcement is made by 1exchange. References to Ondo Finance are for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement, approval, partnership or participation by Ondo Finance.

The information contained in this article is provided strictly for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice, investment advice, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for any securities or financial products listed or traded on 1exchange. Investments involve risks, including the possible loss of principal.

Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance. Readers should carefully consider their investment objectives, financial circumstances and risk tolerance, and conduct their own independent research. Where appropriate, readers are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.

This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Rothman Consumer Reputation Index 2026: In Central and Eastern Europe, China Is Closing the Consumer Trust Gap with the West

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Consumer trust in the four most reputable Asian countries, China, Japan, Singapore and South Korea, has strengthened significantly in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) over the past five years. Western Europe’s reputation in the region has remained stable, but trust in the United States has declined sharply, the Rothman Intelligence Unit’s 2026 Consumer Reputation Index Survey of 12,000 consumers found.


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 October 2026 – First compiled in 2021, the Rothman Consumer Reputation Index (CRI) measures how much consumers trust a “country brand”, and how far a product’s “made in” label sways their purchase decisions. Country of origin is a major factor in consumer choices in Central and Eastern Europe: more important than online reviews, or even the product brand itself.

Rothman Consumer Reputation Index (CRI)
Rothman Consumer Reputation Index (CRI)

Research from multiple surveys between 2021 and 2023 identified which Asian countries have a positive reputation among Central and Eastern Europe’s roughly 110 million consumers, finding China, Singapore, Japan and South Korea as the most valuable Asian country brands. Since then, the survey has continued tracking how these Asian countries perform compared with their main Western European rivals, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and with the United States, in ten countries of the CEE region: Austria, Poland, Czechia, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria and Serbia.

In the first survey, “Made in Germany” had the highest value in all ten countries, with the United States and France also scoring above 7. Since then, Japan has overtaken France and the United States, taking second place behind Germany in most of the countries in the region, and this year it became the most trusted country brand in Poland, as Polish consumers now rate it (7.5) above Germany (7.0), the first time an Asian country has topped a national ranking anywhere in the region.

Japan, however, is far from the biggest winner in terms of improvement. While Japan’s average score has risen by 0.43 points since 2021, trust in China as a country of origin improved by 0.63 points, Singapore’s score rose by 0.66 points, and South Korea’s by 0.72 points over the past five years.

The survey also shows a more mixed picture since 2023 on the regional average, as South Korea and Singapore, the two biggest winners over the five years, and Japan made most of their advance by 2023 and have since consolidated well above their 2021 levels, while China is the only one that has continued to climb. China’s rise mirrors the decline of the United States, which has lost exactly as much as its biggest global rival has gained – 0.63 points. As a result, the average consumer trust gap between China and the United States has narrowed from 2.0 points in 2021 to 0.74 in 2026.

In Austria, all four Asian economies now outscore the United States, and South Korea also edges ahead of the United States in Bulgaria and Slovenia. Singapore’s strongest ground is Central Europe – Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Slovenia, where Singaporean origin scores above 6 and ranks ahead of “Made in China”.

The “Asian four” are the biggest gainers overall since 2021, increasing their average reputation score by 0.61 points, while Germany and France have remained stable, adding 0.13 and 0.16 points to their 2021 scores respectively.

The 2026 results confirm that a product’s country of origin remains a stronger purchase driver in Central and Eastern Europe than the brand itself: 59% of consumers say where a product is made matters to their choice, against 55% for online reviews and 50% for the brand.

Price is still the dominant factor (86%), followed by recommendations from friends and family (64%).

As Zsofia Balatoni, Chief Strategy Officer at Rothman, highlights, “Three years ago our survey already showed that Asia had momentum in Central and Eastern Europe. The 2026 results show the trend has held. Japan now competes with Germany for first place in Poland, China has never been rated higher, and South Korea and Singapore have closed more than half of their gap with America since 2021. Consumers in Central and Eastern Europe buy the country before the brand, and Asia’s country brands are increasingly valued.”
Hashtag: #Rothman #ConsumerReputationIndex #CRI #China #Japan #Singapore #SouthKorea #CEE #Europe #Asia


The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Methodology

The Rothman Consumer Reputation Index survey, completed by the Rothman Intelligence Unit on 1 September 2026, was conducted in twelve countries, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia, with 1,000 respondents in each country (n = 12,000), representative by age, gender, place of residence and education, using computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI; CAPI in Serbia and Montenegro). The margin of error is ±3.2 percentage points for shares and about ±0.2 points for index scores at country level. The Consumer Reputation Index (CRI) records how positively or negatively a product’s country of origin would influence a purchase decision on a scale of 0 to 10. Scores above 5 indicate positive sentiment. Montenegro and North Macedonia were surveyed for the first time in 2026. Regional averages and all comparisons with the 2021 and 2023 waves use the ten countries surveyed in every wave.

Rothman

Rothman Intelligence Unit (formerly Rothman & Roman Intelligence Unit) is a think-tank providing data analysis, research and intelligence about emerging economies, including Central and Eastern Europe, mapping CEE’s economic potential, political landscape and the region’s role in forming EU regulations. Rothman Intelligence Unit is part of Rothman, a strategic communications and advisory firm headquartered in Singapore.

For more information, please visit:

EU Rules and Supply Limits Test Asia’s Access to Key Export Markets as Plasticity Forum Returns to Malaysia for Solutions

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Why manufacturers, businesses, brands and policymakers across Asia-Pacific should be in the room as new rules reshape how materials move.


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 October 2026 – Companies selling into Europe are about to find out whether their supply chains are ready for the rules. On 21 November, the European Union will ban plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries, and its new vehicle and packaging regulations will increasingly require recycled content in the products they sell. Just days before, on 16 and 17 November, the Plasticity Forum Kuala Lumpur (KL) 2026 will bring brands, manufacturers, plastic makers, and policymakers to M Hotel in Kuala Lumpur to ask how the region secures the materials it needs and stays competitive as the rules tighten.

Mr. Douglas Woodring, Founder of the Plasticity Forum
Mr. Douglas Woodring, Founder of the Plasticity Forum

Southeast Asia’s supply of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic is already feeling the shift. Thailand and Indonesia halted plastic scrap imports in January 2025, and Malaysia has tightened its plastic waste import rules and, since April 2026, banned e-waste imports outright. That material is critical to products destined for the EU. Under the EU’s vehicle rules, new vehicle models must contain at least 15% recycled plastic from 2032, rising to 25% from 2036, and its packaging rules set recycled-content minimums from 2030. Wider eco-design rules are also expected to reach products such as electronics and textiles in the coming years. Manufacturers will need reliable, compliant supply to keep selling into major markets.

“The old model of shipping waste to wherever it is cheapest to process is ending, and the rules are changing faster than many businesses have planned for,” said Mr. Douglas Woodring, Founder of the Plasticity Forum.

“It is the best of times for corporate pledges and the hardest of times for operational reality. You cannot make a product to the new standards if the raw material is locked behind borders or left in landfill. The businesses that start building compliant supply chains now will be the ones still selling into these markets.”

Over two days, the Plasticity Forum KL 2026 will tackle the policy and market questions behind that challenge, from Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and investment to consumer demand and the UN Plastics Treaty, with sector sections on electronics, automotive, and food-grade plastics. A candid panel of brands, plastic makers, and recovered plastic suppliers will cover the good, the bad, and what works in practice, and roundtables will feed into a closing session, “From Plasticity 2026 to the World”, gathering the messages delegates want to take to brands, regulators, investors, and the UN.

“Southeast Asia is where this shift is being felt most keenly, and Kuala Lumpur is the right place to work out what comes next. The region has a chance to build higher-value, more resilient circular material systems rather than simply react to new rules,” Mr. Woodring added.

Since its launch at the Rio+20 Earth Summit in 2012, the Plasticity Forum has been staged in 13 cities around the world and returns to Greater Kuala Lumpur, which also hosted the forum in 2018. The Plasticity Forum KL 2026 will take place on 16 and 17 November at M Hotel for anyone with a role in the plastics supply chain who wants to help shape what comes next.

Organisations can take part in Plasticity KL 2026 by attending, by contributing insights and sharing the event with their networks, or by supporting the forum as a sponsor, exhibitor or supporter. For registration and partnership details, visit Plasticity Forum.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

BAR LEONE, HONG KONG, IS THE WORLD’S BEST BAR AS THE LIST OF THE 50 BEST BARS 2026 IS REVEALED

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  • Bar Leone, Hong Kong is named The World’s Best Bar, sponsored by Perrier, and The Best Bar in Asia
  • Shingo Gokan is awarded the Roku Industry Icon Award
  • Melbourne’s Three Horses receives the Campari One to Watch Award
  • The Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award goes to Line, Athens
  • Bar Mauro in Mexico City takes the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award, entering at No.10
  • Athens’ The Bar in Front of the Bar secures the Nikka Highest Climber Award, rising 28 places to No.19
  • Paradiso, Barcelona is named Rémy Martin Legend of the List
  • Schmuck, New York, claims the Three Cents Best New Opening Award
  • Isa Mejia from Ecuador receives The 50 Best Bars Scholarship
  • Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award is given to Edinburgh’s Panda & Sons
  • The SevenRooms Best Bar Design Award goes to Saikindō, Abu Dhabi
  • Takuma Watanabe was named Altos Bartenders’ Bartender and Alquímico, Cartagena, received the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award

MILAN, Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The annual list of The 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, was unveiled this evening in Milan, Italy. The 18th edition once again united the global bar community in recognition of those at the forefront of the international cocktail scene.

Bar Leone in Hong Kong is named No.1 in The 50 Best Bars 2026, sponsored by Perrier, for the second year in a row at the live awards ceremony held in Milan on 7 October.
Bar Leone in Hong Kong is named No.1 in The 50 Best Bars 2026, sponsored by Perrier, for the second year in a row at the live awards ceremony held in Milan on 7 October.

For the full 1-50 list, click here

Co-founded by Lorenzo Antinori, Bar Leone draws inspiration from the traditional bars of Rome’s Trastevere district. Rather than chasing trends or theatrical techniques, the bar’s philosophy of Cocktail Popolari -“cocktails for the people” – focuses on straightforward hospitality and impeccable drinks while the design combines vintage Italian references with a welcoming neighbourhood atmosphere.

The 2026 list features bars from 26 cities with 14 new entries. Other bars in the top five are Milan’s Moebius Milano (No.2), Cartagena’s Alquimíco (No.3), Bangkok’s Bar Us (No.4) and Athens’ Line (No.5).

Faye Huggett, Director of Community for The 50 Best Bars, says: “It is with immense pride that we once again announce Bar Leone as The World’s Best Bar, sponsored by Perrier. To be the first No.1 from Asia was already an outstanding achievement but to retain the title for a second year shows the true impact of Cocktail Popolari. Beyond the No.1, this year’s rankings are a powerful reflection of the extraordinary talent, dedication and hospitality that continue to elevate bar culture around the world.”

Media centre:
mediacentre.the50.com 

The 50
The 50

XPENG G9L Completes First Production Trial in Europe

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  • XPENG’s Next-Gen AI Flagship SUV G9L has successfully completed its production trial at Magna’s complete vehicle facility in Graz, Austria, becoming the fourth XPENG model to be produced in Europe after the G6, G9 and P7+.
  • Following the successful production trial, the first European G9L will travel 1,324 kilometers from Graz to Paris ahead of its global premiere at the Paris Motor Show on October 12, demonstrating the vehicle’s safety, charging and driving dynamics under real-world conditions enabled by the cutting-edge AI technologies.
  • The G9L marks another step in XPENG’s European localization strategy, combining local manufacturing in Europe with global vehicle development and standards.

GRAZ, Austria, Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — XPeng Inc. (“XPENG” or “the Company,” NYSE: XPEV; HKEX: 9868), a leading global Physical AI company, today announces that its Next-Gen AI Flagship SUV G9L has successfully completed its first production trial at Magna in Graz, Austria, marking a new milestone in its European manufacturing expansion.

The G9L is the fourth XPENG model to undergo production at the Austrian facility, where XPENG’s G6, G9 and P7+ are actively being produced. The milestone comes one year after XPENG and Magna began local production in Graz and signals the latest expansion of their European manufacturing partnership.

The first pre-production G9L will now travel 1,324 kilometers from Graz to Paris ahead of its global launch at the Paris Motor Show on October 12, putting the vehicle through a real-world journey focused on charging, safety and driving performance before it is displayed at XPENG’s stand.

The milestone builds on XPENG’s accelerating growth in Europe. The company has delivered more than 100,000 vehicles overseas to date, including over 60,000 in Europe. In France alone, more than 6,000 vehicles have been delivered since entering the market two years ago. In the second quarter of 2026, XPENG’s overseas deliveries surpassed 20,000 units for the first time, up 81% year-on-year, with overseas markets contributing 25% of first-half revenue at an average selling price exceeding €40,000.

A Global Vehicle Built to Global Standards

The G9L is being developed as a global model, with plans to launch across 64 countries and regions. The vehicle has been developed and validated against global standards from the outset, and its global validation program has covered 26 countries and regions over three years, with approximately 6.74 million kilometers of road testing.

The G9L has completed 192 crash tests and more than 110 testing protocols, including validation for both left- and right-hand-drive configurations. It is engineered to meet four major global five-star safety standards (E-NCAP, A-NCAP, C-NCAP and C-IASI) and incorporates active and passive safety systems alongside redundant safety architecture.

The testing program also included an industry-first seven-stage “720-degree” safety challenge spanning land, water and air conditions.

Next-Gen AI Technology Meets Advanced Driving Dynamics

The G9L combines XPENG’s latest AI capabilities with a chassis system designed to balance ride comfort and driving dynamics. Its standard chassis specification includes dual-chamber air suspension, intelligent variable damping and rear-wheel steering with up to 15 degrees of steering angle.

The rear-wheel steering system is designed to improve maneuverability at low speeds while supporting vehicle stability during higher-speed driving.

Deepening Local Manufacturing in Europe

XPENG’s collaboration with Magna marks the company’s first European local manufacturing program. Production at Magna’s Graz facility officially began in the third quarter of 2025. One year into the partnership, the two companies are expanding their cooperation to support XPENG’s growing portfolio of vehicles for European and global markets.

The G9L will be manufactured at Magna’s Graz facility, a site with a long-standing track record in producing vehicles for premium automotive brands, combining Magna’s experience in high-end vehicle manufacturing with XPENG’s advanced electric vehicle and AI technologies.

“The G9L marks another important milestone in our collaboration with XPENG,” said Roland Prettner, President of Magna Complete Vehicles. “It demonstrates how strong teamwork can translate XPENG’s product vision and technical requirements into robust production processes, supported by our vehicle manufacturing expertise and a shared commitment to quality.”

“The latest production milestone represents an important step in our journey from entering Europe to building for Europe. By combining global vehicle development and AI technology with established local manufacturing expertise, we are bringing the next-gen XPENG vehicles closer to customers in Europe and around the world,” said Zhang Li, Vice President of Global Manufacturing at XPENG.

From Graz to Paris for the Global Premiere

The first European pre-production G9L will leave Graz for Paris ahead of its global debut on October 12. The 1,324-kilometer journey will provide a real-world demonstration of the vehicle’s charging capability, safety systems and driving performance across Europe.

At the Paris Motor Show, XPENG will officially unveil the G9L to global audiences and open orders for its Next-Gen AI Flagship SUV, representing the latest step in its expansion of its European manufacturing and product portfolio as the company continues to develop vehicles to global standards and produce them locally to serve customers worldwide.

If you are interested in XPENG’s Paris Motor Show event, please contact:
pr@xiaopeng.com 

XPENG Paris Motor Show Press Kit:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1I8SLTqDREdDCzeY5YUu8LjLe7jlPI6e2

About XPENG

XPENG is a leading global Physical AI company, dedicated to bringing artificial intelligence into the physical world to reshape future mobility and smart living. Through in-house R&D, XPENG has developed a full-stack Physical AI architecture spanning Turing AI chips, world foundation models, and highly integrated software and hardware applications. This unified technology foundation of XPENG powers an expansive product portfolio of smart EVs, robotaxis, and humanoid robots, advancing the deployment of Physical AI at scale. Headquartered in Guangzhou, China, XPENG is dual-primary listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. With global capabilities across R&D, manufacturing, sales, and services, XPENG drives continuous technological innovation and fosters an open Physical AI ecosystem, making life smarter, safer, and better for users worldwide. For more information, please visit https://www.xpeng.com/.

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