"A lot of salespeople don't like to admit they sell autos," he said.

When the United States took on Japan on its barriers to selling American autos and parts last year, Tokyo tried to bring the case before the World Trade Organization.

The agency reported that General Motors said it wanted to sell autos with lights that switched on when the ignition was turned, but feared that some state regulations might bar this.

"We're not selling autos."

He sold autos in St. Louis and reportedly played bridge for a living in New York City before moving to Philadelphia.

Michael Hammes, Chrysler vice president, also said in an interview that the company expects its revenues from sales of cars and trucks outside the United States to double to $2 billion in 1989, its first full year of selling autos abroad.

In 1953, he was married with two children and sold autos in the off-season.

Eventually, the state of Florida agreed to license the 37-year-old doctor, who is trained by Tommy Torino, a former boxer who sells autos.

But General Motors has no production operations here and sells autos through Japanese importers.