"We had a good start of the year, winning the first two available HD map deals, which gives us an early position in this growth market," said CEO Harold Goddijn in a statement.

TomTom, which competes with rivals including Google maps, said the HD contracts had been won with two of the world's largest car companies but gave no further detail.

First-quarter revenue reached 169.5 million euros ($192 million), above an average forecast of 157 million from analysts polled by the company.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of 18.8 million euros also beat an average forecast of 12 million.

TomTom, which in January agreed to sell its fleet management business to Japan's Bridgestone for 910 million euros, reiterated its full-year outlook for revenue of 675 million euros, including 430 million from its location technology, and free cash flow of around 10 percent of revenue.

Free cash flow (FCF) in the first quarter was a negative 20.2 million euros, versus an average forecast for an outflow of 5 million.

The company said the FCF outflow in the first quarter was expected due to the seasonality of customer payments, adding that cash inflow will materialise during the rest of 2019.

(Reporting by Silvia Recchimuzzi in Gdynia; Editing by David Holmes)