Europe’s biggest carmaker Volkswagen on Tuesday reported a 22-per-cent gain in first-quarter profit, beating forecasts.

Earnings before interest and tax rose to 2.86 billion euros (3.97 billion dollars) compared with 2.34 billion euros in the same period last year, the Germany-based group said.

Analysts had expected a rise to 2.74 billion euros.

Revenue rose 2.7 per cent to 47.8 billion euros during the first three months of the year despite the impact of a stronger euro, the company said.