Would you buy a car from this man? You've already bought his computers. Dell CEO Michael Dell says he sees big opportunities in the auto business. But unlike some change-the-world high tech types who want to make their own alternative fuel vehicles and prove they can be brilliant (or lucky) in a second industry, Dell just wants to invest his personal assets in dealerships that sell high-end cars. Most recently, Dell this week told the Detroit Economic Club, "When people are panicking and don't really know what to do, that's probably the period of greatest opportunity from an investor's standpoint to make changes and do good things," Dell said during the Q&A, as recorded by Automotive News. "Now you have to have receptivity to change, and you have to embrace change, but what other choice do you have?"

Last month Dell (the man making his own investments, not the computer company) announced a deal with Sonic Automotive President Jeffrey Rachor to buy premium/import dealerships. The group, MSD Automotive Partners LLC, might invest as much as $500 million.