Ever since Mark Michalek got his picture in a GM dealer publication for selling 411 cars last year, the telephone calls have been coming, according to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.

A salesman at Don Allen Chevrolet on Baum Boulevard and Liberty Avenue in Bloomfield, Michalek is enjoying the ride. He's achieved the goals he set during his job interview 11 years ago. "I told them I was going to be

the No. 1 salesman at Don Allen, the No. 1 salesman in the [northeast] zone and the No. 1 salesman in the United States," Michalek said.

GM's article listed his Chevy sales alone last year as putting him tied for first among Chevrolet salespeople nationwide. His computer records show 345 vehicles sold in 1997, 376 in 1998, 397 in 1999 and then 411 in 2000.

At the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) in McLean, Va., chief economist Paul Taylor did a quick calculation based on about

40,000 auto franchises and 17.4 million cars sold last year. He figured the average franchise sold 435 total. This year, Michalek's goal is to sell 455. Through May 31, he'd delivered 195.