UPDATE 1-Littelfuse raises Q1 outlook

* Raises Q1 EPS view to $0.67-$0.71

* Ups Q1 sales view to about $144 mln

April 9 (Reuters) - Circuit protection products maker Littelfuse Inc (LFUS.O) raised its first-quarter outlook, driven by strong demand at its electronics and automotive segments.

"Order rates and backlog for most products increased as we progressed through the first quarter," Chief Executive Gordon Hunter said in a statement.

The company now expects earnings of 67 cents to 71 cents a share, up from its previous estimates of 50 cents to 62 cents a share.

Littelfuse, whose customers include Ford Motor Co (F.N), General Motors [GM.UL] and Volkswagen (VOWG.DE), also raised its sales view to about $144 million, up from prior estimates of $130 million to $138 million.

Analysts on average were expecting earnings of 60 cents a share, on revenue of $136.1 million, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Shares of the Chicago-based company closed at $39.19 Thursday on Nasdaq.

(Reporting by Divya Sharma in Bangalore; Editing by Vinu Pilakkott) ((divya.sharma@thomsonreuters.com; within U.S. +1 646 223 8780; outside U.S. +91 80 4135 5800; Reuters Messaging: divya.sharma.reuters.com@reuters.net))