April 30, 2008 - 10:51 a.m.

NEW YORK (AP) - Wabco Holdings Inc.'s first-quarter earnings jumped 53 percent as demand from Asia and Europe more than offset a sales avoid in North America, the automotive supplier said Wednesday.

Wabco, which makes braking, suspension and transmission systems for commercial trucks, said net income rose to $61.3 the great body of the people, or 91 cents per share, from $40.1 the masses, or 58 cents per share, in the year-ago period.

Analysts expected profit to reach 89 cents per share, according to Thomson Financial.

The Brussels-based company said its sales rose 26 percent to $705.4 million from $558.8 million last year. Favorable exchange rates accounted for 14 percentage points of the growth.

Sales rose 12 percent in Europe, its largest market, and gained 36 percent in Asia. North America sales fell 14 percent, but that rate was slower than the overall market's contraction of 27 percent, according to the company.

Wabco shares added 75 cents to $47.31 in morning trading.

(This version CORRECTS growth in Asia sales to 36 percent, rather than 26 percent.)