>> they call this the gallery. it's really the special adjunct to the detroit auto show. why? because inside here they have a collection of upscale cars on the market today. why? because in any auto show in the u.s., you can't just walk in and buy what's on the floor. you are not able to do that. here in the gallery, you can. they have gathered the cars and upscale people from around the country that are able to buy these things as they want.

this has been done in a nice, upscale way. we'll show you what that's about later in the show. for now, let's look at who the people are and what the cars are all about. you never know who you will bump into at the gallery. wolfgang, tell us about it. >> i love cars. coming to the autoto autoshows f detroit is one of my favorite times of the year. i have my escalade and it's very

exciting. >> you say it's exciting to come to detroit? it's the dead of winter. what makes it so beautiful to come here? >> you look out the window and it's beautiful. i like it. i don't come from south america. a lot of people come every year. we have people from last year and the year before. they really enjoy the party. >> you are here working. what are you doing here tonight? >> we have all of our restaurants represented here tonight. we have a black topiar risotto r chinese lobster with lamb chops with vinaigrette. we have our wonderful cobo steaks and all these appetizers. it's a lot of fun and great food. >> who all do you have here eating here tonight. tell us about the people here

and why they are here for the event? >> it's a big party for me i can express. we have people that come and get the newest model of cars. i sneaked in there. the new austin martin four door which i never saw in my life. i think people will buy cars tonight. >> of everything you saw in the display in the gallery, what was your favorite. you mentioned the as ton. is that the one? >> it would be difficult. i'll look a little bit later. there are so many fabulous cars out there, it's exciting. i think it's great to see the enthusiasm of the people. this year everybody seems excited. last year everybody was more subdued. >> there is more energy. since people have to eat to have energy, tell us what you are preparing tonight?

>> we have pet pizza to steak tr tar and crab louie salad to pass around. >> no one should go hungry. sounds like there is a lot to choose from. >> we have a white wine from my favorite producer. we have cab nate and champagne and whatever they want. >> it's wonderful to run into you here and especially working. >> they only invite me if i work. i have to work to get a new car. >> speaking of new cars, i have to get back to them. thanks so much. >> we'll see you out there. >> joining me now is barron meade the chairman of the auto show and also with me, meade

lexus. tell us about the event. i don't know that any other auto show in the world does something like this. >> we wanted to create an experience for the luxuries. the business case coming to the show is not always positive. we need to give them a smaller venue. everyone is even as far as the display built. the cars are the stars at this event. as opposed to the big auto show, you have something special here. you are talking the lamborghini's portia's and the like, being one an one with the customer. >> right. they don't have unveilings every year. we can connect the manufacturer with luxury car buyers. we work with our partners and local wealth management to bring people to detroit in january to see these products.

>> how's it going? >> it's fantastic. this is the third year of the gallery. it continues to build. >> we had bentley unveiling here at the gallery. this helps our customers get the word out. >> american express is your partner, sen centurion and black heart. who are these people? >> these are people that are able to put money into cars. we have $3.5 million in cars and there are only 27 cars. this is an experience. buying one of these is a commitment. we want to show people that this is the place to be to see the most beautiful vehicles on the planet here in detroit. >> will any of these go to the big show?

>> the lexus santa fe go over tonight. the bentleys go over tonight. if the brand is also represented in the big show, a lot of these go out. this is over tonight. this is one night affair. >> you will definitely do this next year? >> yes, and last year we took this concept to san jose california and had a gallery out there. >> you have the idea of taking the gallery elsewhere? >> we are not fix today the detroit show, but there is only one detroit. we'll also do over areas. >> very interesting. you will have to keep us posted. this is a clever idea that you have. >> we appreciate your involvement. it's going to be a great evening. >> i appreciate your time.

>> and please meet john neale from bonn ton who is here at the gallery -- why? >> well who can recyst? >> resist? >> coming in the dead of winter to detroit, what motivates you? >> i have automotive genes. you could be skiing, but you wouldn't see the cars. >> you are a car guy. >> i am. when you come to detroit in winter, you are a car guy. >> what is going on here as opposed to the big show itself? >> this is where it's all happening. these are the cars you aspire to. these are the cars -- you can take just about anyone of them and see a happier person. >> what do you have in your heart? what are you fond of in this room here? >> i have a real estate business

in boston. i need a bac backseat. i look at the as ton martin and i have to say, i could probably get by with that at work. >> so it's caught your eye. >> it's a nice car. >> do you come specifically to look at them or do you look at all of them? >> we look at all of them. bentleys are nice cars. they have backseats in a few of those too. then there is a car that doesn't have a backseat, just for you and someone else. >> i'm sure lamborghini and ferrari -- >> happy to take care of you on that, yes. it's just in autosee al awe to f these cars in the same place

same time. >> it's incredible. it's a special experience to be here and to see the cars and be able to get in and out of them and play with the wheel. maybe you can get in the backseat to see how my client's might feel in the back. >> so you are thinking of buying here? you are shopping? >> we never stop shopping. car people? never stop. i'm always looking for my next car. >> thanks so much for taking the time. >> my pleasure. [ applause ] >> joining me right now is christoff george. great to be able to talk to you. >> thank you for your interest in our products. >> very interested. you chose the gallery to

introduce the new bentley. why did you choose the exhibit for the new car premier? >> it's starting to move. it's always been an important motorcar for us in the u.s. market. it is the largest market in the world. however, this event at the gallery, privately, we have the opportunity to show them the creation. we have a cup of champagne next to the car. >> a very civilized way of doing it. >> a civilized way to show a car. >> tomorrow, you show this to the media at the main event. >> oh, yes. >> how has this event worked for

you? is this a good way to show the car to the customers? >> there is good attendance. there are some reservations. the welcome was positive. it's a new revolutionize of our evolution team. it's changed the marketplace creating a new market segment. this is very important and making sure that the iconic g.t. is a classic. it's much more modern. it's very refined at the same time. >> thanks for stopping by to tell us about the car. >> thank you.

>> i have just made two friends here right now. keith and shelia owen have come all the way from houston. from houston to detroit in the dead of witness e what got you here? >> we are car peoples. to see the cars here tonight is very special. >> shelia, what's it like for you? >> i'm in for the long haul. i love cars. you get to see them up front. you sit in them and play with them. we drove the green cars this morning. you do stuff you wouldn't be able to do at home. >> what do you make of the gallery itself? what do you think of the event? >> i think it brings together a high amount of people to the

event. that's what it's all about, bringing customers to the cars. >> you have here before? >> we have been here before, but this year is special. there is a real interest which shows the economy is improving. we are very excited about that. >> do you see it that way, shelia? >> yes. last year was okay, but this year is a whole lot more fun. >> there seems to be a lot of energy around. >> there is. you can see it at cobo hall or mgm grand. it's special. >> well thanks to both of you for coming to the show and taking the time to talk with me. >> we are glad to do it. >> thank you. >> measur >> my pleasure. >> and this is wolfgang hoffman

chief operating officer of lamborghini. why is lamborghini exhibiting the cars at the gallery? >> the gallery is important. we meet customers on a one-on-one basis. we show the cars in an intimate setting. we have face time. they see the people behind the scenes from lamborghini and they can ask questions. it's important to be here because 2010 was important for lamborghini. >> why? >> we introduced the super sports car which extended the lightweight car. maybe not you but me, lost 200-pounds. >> this is done in a high-tech

way. >> i wish i could do that with carbon fiber as well. all wheels are driven. four-wheel drive and accelerates in 3.2 seconds from 0 to 60. it's an exciting super sports car. then we introduced the car in paris. we chose the way forward for lamborghini. lightweight, focusing on these elements, getting the weight down, increasing the handling and performance at the same time. increasing only a little bit the horsepower, but increasing the driving pleasure through lightweight construction. >> if you take weight out, it's like you are adding power to a car. >> that's right. this is for us, the best way to go forward. get the power to wait ratio up

and reduce the weight of the car. >> 2010 was important getting these cars out. what do you do for 2011? >> in 2011 we can't show show you the car. it will be introduced in geneva. a car made substantially out of carbon fiber. 700-horsepower, a car with a lot of innovation, suspension, a perfect package, super sports car that the world will admire and hopefully, so will our customers. >> getting back to the cars you have here, i imagine these folks could go to the auto show and see them and ask questions about them, but it seems to me you like having this special event for your customer? >> we are not at the auto show this year, only here, but it is

important to be able to have a conversation with our customers. we are a high-end super luxury brand and we need to have a personal relationship with each and every customer. >> dyou do the exhibits around the world. what do you think about the gallery? how has this worked for you? >> it's terrific. we'll be back next year. >> terrific. thank you for your time. i really appreciate it. >> thank you. >> look who i have run into here in the gallery, none other than dave fisher with the suburban collection. tell us about the stores and brands you have. >> we are a collection of automobile dealerships representing 38 brands around michigan, florida and recently in california. >> that's terrific. why here?

why are you at the gallery? what are you exhibiting and why? >> this is the start of the north american international auto show. it's near and dear to our hearts. it's the premiere show in the united states. we are doing the first ever north american introduction of the bentley. >> the north american introduction? it's here in the gallery? >> it's not in europe. it's not in another city. it's here in detroit, the center of the universe for the north american car business. >> why did they unveil at the gallery rather than the main show? >> it's not an unusual happening. we want to pick a special place. tonight we have the suburban collection and the american express black card. >> explain the black card for those not familiar?

>> the bentley black card is a premium card for a car buyer. it's for a high-profile customer. >> that's who these people are that are here tonight? >> everyone around here is a black card customer. >> they got a special invitation. >> they are from all over the united states. >> they are not just local? >> i ran into someone from new port beach, someone from miami -- >> it's freezing cold out in detroit on a sunday night. how do you get people to show up? >> it's better than that. it's a north american auto show in a sold out hotel in the first week of january. it's about the car business. it's about giving people what they want. we are seeing a dramatic change in the industry. >> tell us more about the people. they come from all over the united states to view what?

>> it's the north american introduction of a product. no one gets to go to that. they were something that a handful of people normally see. what bentley did is really quite smart. they debuted the car in front of the people that are the buyer of the car. >> you have real buyers here not just people with tongues hanging out drooling over the machines? >> we may all be drooling over the cars. it's a magnificent automobile. i would suggest to you there are people here tonight that will buy it. >> can they buy it off the floor? >> not so much. the car comes in april. we receive our first shipment in april. it's a very important thing they have done here. most manufacturers are trying to get closer to their customer. >> bentley found a way to be one with their customer here, inviting them through american

express to come and watch as the cars unveil. >> this gallery, this is the first time here or they are doing this for a number of years? >> this is our first time here. >> you think it's paying for the biz ?ns >> we are in a sold out hotel in detroit second week in january and look around. this beautiful room is full of great cars, wonderful customers, and we are here. >> dave, thank you for taking time to talk to me about it. >> thank you for coming yourself. what color would you like? >> here i have run into two others that have come to the gallery. tell me your name? >> i'm bob butte buterbaugh fron

head island, south carolina. >> and i'm terry judd from spring lake michigan. >> what brought you to the auto show tonight? >> we have come to the auto show since 1963. >> 1963? >> absolutely. as kids we used to come to the shows here. terry would come to the press day for many years. this is the unique part of the show, no doubt about it. >> the press is not invited tonight. >> no, terry got me into the press day for years, but he's no longer with the paper. through american express, i was able to do a "by invitation only." this afternoon we drove the chevy volt in the basement of

cobo hall. >> so this is nice to be at? >> i am a dying breed, newspaper reporter, out of week for two years. it's nice to weasel my way back into an event like this. i met an actor in detroit from 187 tonight. i sat in the rolls royce and fondled the umbrella. >> the other thing about it, the access to the auto industry ceo's. i ran into an old family friend dave fisher, one of the people behind the event. it was fun to see him. it's nice to come back to detroit. >> detroit's in your blood, no doubt about it. >> i grew up in birmingham. he grew up in detroit hills.

my father's company bought steel from bob's father. the auto industry is definitely in our veins. it's great to be here. >> that's the thing -- you can move away from detroit, but you can't move detroit out of you. >> so you are both here tonight. >> having a great time. great cars. just an exciting time. >> terrific. thank you so much for taking time to talk to me and giving me the reminiscing from 1963. >> that's when it came out. >> what chevrolet had was a corvette body. they would lift it way up to show the guts and flip it around. we were like, wow. the studebaker was introduced here too. it's a fiberglass sports car which i now own one because i thought, i have to have that car

someday. >> well guys, thanks for being here. >> we appreciate it. >> quite an event this thing called the "gallery." i have never seen anything like it at any other auto show in the world. you can get people from around the united states to the city of detroit in the dead of winter to look at cars, is phenomenal. as you have heard, they are excited about the event and like what they see here. >> i think the organizers could take this to other cities and not just in the united states. i hope you appreciate that we were able to get you into this event. i have never been in the event before. i really don't qualify.óq