duPont REGISTRY Group Acquires Majority Stake in Elferspot, Expanding Global Footprint in the Porsche Enthusiast Market

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 18, 2026--

duPont REGISTRY Group (dRG) has acquired a majority stake in Elferspot, the leading marketplace for pre-owned and classic Porsche sports cars. Each year, more than 13,000 Porsche sports cars are listed on Elferspot, generating over $400 million in annual seller-reported sales value originating from buyer leads on the platform—a figure that continues to grow, with 35% share of activity driven by the United States market.

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Founded in Austria in 2017 by Porsche enthusiast Markus Klimesch, Elferspot has built a loyal global audience as a trusted destination for buying and selling quality Porsches. Built by a team of Porsche enthusiasts and focused entirely on the Porsche niche, the platform is known for curation, authenticity, and community. Alongside the marketplace, Elferspot operates a web shop offering apparel and accessories for sports car enthusiasts, including products from its "Key on the Left" collection.

The acquisition strengthens dRG's position within the marque-specific luxury segment, adding a specialized marketplace that complements its portfolio across media, events and digital commerce, including the world's largest Ferrari enthusiast communities FerrariChat and Cavallino.

The deal will enable Elferspot to accelerate international growth while preserving the authenticity and specialist voice that defines the brand. Elferspot will continue to operate from Austria with the same team and day-to-day setup. dRG will support Elferspot through enhanced marketing capabilities, expanded dealer relationships, cross-platform editorial visibility, and new commerce opportunities across Porsche lifestyle and collectibles. These include its automotive media and lifestyle brand Petrolicious —dedicated to celebrating the art, culture, and craftsmanship of driving—and exclusive events such as Retromobile New York.

“Elferspot has always been built by Porsche enthusiasts for Porsche enthusiasts — and I’m proud of what our team has created over the years, based in Austria,” said Markus Klimesch, Founder and CEO of Elferspot, who will remain a significant shareholder and continue to lead the company. “What many people don’t know is that the earliest Porsche 356 sports cars were built in Austria before Porsche returned to Stuttgart. The U.S. then played an important role early on in Porsche’s global success. In a way, Elferspot follows a similar path: we started in Austria, built a global enthusiast community, and now we’re joining forces with duPont REGISTRY Group in the U.S. to take the next step — while staying Porsche-focused, Austria-based, and run by the same team.”

"Over the years, we repeatedly received inbound interest from potential buyers and investors, but we decided to take this step only with duPont REGISTRY Group. We share a long-term vision and see strong strategic fit and real synergies. For all our customers and partners, our core promise remains unchanged: we stay Porsche-focused, Austria-based, and run by the same team, with more opportunities to grow together."

With Elferspot joining its portfolio, duPont REGISTRY Group continues to build one of the most comprehensive luxury automotive networks in the world—connecting collectors, dealers, and enthusiasts through trusted platforms that define each marque's culture. Elferspot's global community will also benefit from access to dRG's curated portfolio of car financing, leasing, insurance, and vehicle protection offerings tailored to the high-end automotive market.

"Elferspot represents exactly the type of focused, enthusiast-led platform we seek to bring into the duPont REGISTRY Group ecosystem," said Antoine Tessier, CEO of duPont REGISTRY Group. "Porsche enthusiasts and collectors are among the most passionate and discerning in the automotive world, and Elferspot's engaged community mirrors the sophistication, loyalty and scale of our existing Ferrari audience. This investment allows us to deepen our presence in one of the strongest segments of the global collector market."

About duPont REGISTRY Group:

duPont REGISTRY Group (DRG) is the world’s leading luxury automotive ecosystem, encapsulating the culture, community and commerce of the high-end automotive lifestyle. For more than 40 years, DRG has served as a trusted source for the vibrant global community of members looking to buy and sell luxury vehicles. Using data insights and advanced technology to build a seamless and scalable digital marketplace, duPont REGISTRY Group facilitates billions of dollars in transactions and redefines how enthusiasts and collectors engage within the luxury automotive world. Its portfolio includes duPont REGISTRY, Canossa Events, Cavallino, Supercar Owners Circle, Petrolicious, Retromobile USA, FerrariChat, and Sotheby's Motorsport. For more information, visit www.duPontREGISTRYGroup.com.

Elferspot founder, Markus Klimesch. duPont REGISTRY Group (dRG) has acquired a majority stake in Elferspot, the leading marketplace for pre-owned and classic Porsche sports cars.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Rules for showing red cards to players at the World Cup were updated Tuesday because of two controversies in international soccer this year.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino pushed for changes after Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni tried to hide verbal insults toward Vinícius Júnior in a Champions League game and Senegal's team walked off the field to protest a referee's decision in a heated and chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final.

Soccer’s rulemaking panel, the International Football Association Board, agreed that players can be penalized with a red card if they cover their mouths when verbally confronting another player.

The rule is not mandatory within The Laws of the Game but gives competition organizers like FIFA the option to use it.

It was unanimously approved by IFAB officials from FIFA and the four British soccer federations at a special meeting Tuesday in Vancouver, British Columbia, ahead of the FIFA Congress on Thursday.

FIFA's proposal followed Vinícius, backed by Real Madrid teammate Kylian Mbappé, accusing Prestianni of making a racially charged insult while raising his jersey to cover his mouth during the game in February.

Last week, UEFA handed Prestianni a six-game ban — three of the games deferred for a probationary period — for the verbal abuse, which it said was homophobic. UEFA could not prove the racial insult which Prestianni denied, though he admitted using a homophobic slur.

If Prestianni is selected for Argentina's World Cup squad, he must sit out the defending champion's first two matches in June, although the ban can be appealed.

“At the discretion of the competition organizer, any player covering their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card,” IFAB said.

IFAB also agreed any player who leaves the field in protest of a referee's decision can be sanctioned with a red card. The rule also applies to team officials who urge players to leave the field.

Senegal players left the field during stoppage time of the AFCON final in January to protest host nation Morocco being awarded a penalty when the score was 0-0. Play was delayed for nearly 15 minutes before Morocco's spot-kick was saved. Senegal scored in extra time to win the title.

Senegal was later stripped of the title by an appeals panel of African soccer's governing body, and the case will now be judged at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.

IFAB said the amendments will be communicated to all 48 teams playing in the World Cup starting June 11, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

FILE - Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni fights for the ball against Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior during a Champions League playoff soccer match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid in Lisbon, Portugal, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Rocha, File)