The operating profit of Ford Motor Co....

The operating profit of Ford Motor Co. of Australia Ltd., wholly owned by its U.S. parent, doubled to $25 million in 1987 over the previous year, despite a drop in sales.

Ford Australia said it sold 128,257 vehicles in Australia in 1987, down from 139,139 in 1986, but it said it raised its market share to 28.6% from 27.1%.

President Bill Dix said in a statement that he expects the size of the domestic market to rise to 480,000 vehicles in 1988 from 451,865 in 1987. Sales in 1986 totaled 530,251.

He said heavy investment in a domestic large family car, the EA Falcon, and in Ford Australia’s Capri sports car export project had introduced new robotics technology to Ford’s Australian operations.