Canadian auto parts maker Magna International Inc (MG.TO) on Thursday posted a bigger-than-expected profit for the first quarter, helped by higher demand, and the company also raised its full-year sales forecast.

Magna said sales in Asia rose 10 per cent to US$557 million in the quarter ended March 31, while sales in Europe climbed 8 per cent to US$2.46 billion.

North America sales, which make up the bulk of Magna's total sales, increased 7 per cent to US$5.09 billion.

The helped total sales jump to US$9.37 billion from US$8.90 billion at Magna, which counts General Motors Co (GM.N), Volkswagen AG, BMW and Ford Motor Co (F.N) among its biggest customers.

Net income attributable to Magna rose to US$586 million, or US$1.53 per share, in the quarter, from US$492 million, or US$1.22 per share, a year earlier.

The company earned US$1.54 per share on an adjusted basis, topping analysts' average estimate of US$1.34, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Magna raised its full-year 2017 sales forecast to US$36.6 billion to US$38.3 billion, from its prior forecast of US$36 billion to US$37.7 billion.

The Aurora, Ontario-based company also raised its total production sales forecast to US$30.8 billion to 32.1 billion, from US$30.4 billion to US$31.7 billion.

The company's U.S.-listed shares were up about 1.8 per cent at US$43.55 in premarket trading on Thursday.