Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) increased operating profit in the first quarter on cost cuts and improving European auto demand, winning some respite after the shock ouster of Chairman Ferdinand Piech. Operating profit jumped 17 percent to 3.33 billion euros ($3.65 billion), from 2.86 billion a year earlier, VW said on Wednesday, close to the top end of a range of analyst estimates in a Reuters poll and above the forecast average of 3.12 billion euros.