Rating Rationale
April 24, 2023 | Mumbai
Competent Automobiles Company Limited
Rating reaffirmed at 'CRISIL A-/Stable'; Rated amount enhanced for Bank Debt
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.282 Crore (Enhanced from Rs.230 Crore)
Long Term RatingCRISIL A-/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Note: None of the Directors on CRISIL Ratings Limited’s Board are members of rating committee and thus do not participate in discussion or assignment of any ratings. The Board of Directors also does not discuss any ratings at its meetings.
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to Annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities

Detailed rationale

CRISIL Ratings has reaffirmed its ‘CRISIL A-/Stable’ rating on the long-term bank facilities of Competent Automobiles Company Limited (CACL).

 

Business risk profile is supported by the three-decade-long association with the principal, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL; rated CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+), and continuous expansion in operations with new showrooms opened in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. Revenue is estimated to grow by more than 35% to above Rs 1,700 crore in fiscal 2023 from Rs 1,245 crore in fiscal 2022 on the back of a volume growth of 24%.

 

The rating continues to reflect the established market position of CACL in the automobile dealership market in Delhi, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh (HP); and healthy financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by exposure to intense competition and concentration risk associated with having a single principal, MSIL.

Key rating drivers & detailed description

Strengths: 

Established market position in the automobile dealership business

The three-decade-long association with MSIL will continue to support the business risk profile. The company currently has 24 showrooms, 8 e-outlets and 15 workshops; and has received approvals from the principal to open showrooms in New Delhi and HP. CACL is one of the oldest and largest auto dealer for MSIL in Delhi-NCR (National Capital Region). The company held around 1.70% share in MSIL’s domestic sales in fiscal 2023. Healthy performance of the principal, complemented by new upcoming models, should also aid growth in revenue and profitability of the company.

 

Healthy financial risk profile

Networth and gearing were estimated to be strong at over Rs 300 crore and below 0.60 time, respectively, as on March 31, 2023 (Rs 285 crore and 0.45 time, respectively, previous fiscal). Gearing has remained below 0.50 time for the last five fiscals and should sustain at similar levels in the absence of any large, debt-funded capital expenditure (capex) in the near term. Debt protection metrics were adequate, with estimated interest coverage and net cash accrual to adjusted debt ratios of over 3 times and 0.2 time, respectively, for fiscal 2022 (6.6 times and 0.34 time, respectively, for fiscal 2022).

 

Weakness:

Exposure to intense competition and concentration risk associated with a single principal

The exclusive dealership for vehicles manufactured by MSIL makes CACL vulnerable to decline in revenue and profitability of the principal. Furthermore, non-exclusivity in the Delhi region exposes the company to competition from around 12 other MSIL dealers: in addition to dealers of other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the auto sector.

 

Operating margin remained healthy at 4.4% in fiscal 2022 and is estimated at 3.5%-4.0% in fiscal 2023 because of advanced incentives provided by MSIL and certain cost-cutting measures adopted by CACL. OEMs also encourage more dealerships to improve their market penetration and sales, which further intensifies competition among dealers. Operating margin is likely to sustain at around 3.5% in the near term.

Liquidity: Strong

Estimated cash accrual of over Rs 40 crore in fiscal 2023 and beyond should suffice to cover bulk of the incremental working capital expenses in the absence of any debt obligation. Bank limit utilization was also moderate, averaging 48% in the 12 months through February 2023. Efficient working capital management should ensure limited reliance on bank debt. Liquid funds of Rs 73 crore comprised of Rs 8.4 crore of cash and bank balance and free FDRs (fixed deposit receipts) of Rs 64.6 crore as on September 30, 2022 (Rs 52.5 crore and Rs 43.0 crore, respectively, as on March 31, 2022).

Outlook: Stable

CACL should continue to benefit from its established market position in the auto dealership business in Delhi, Haryana and HP, and its healthy relationship with MSIL.

Rating sensitivity factors

Upward factors

  • Diversification in geographical reach and increase in sales volume enhancing overall market share, with steady operating profitability of 3.0% and above
  • Sustenance of healthy financial risk profile, including strong liquidity

 

Downward factors

  • Decline in revenue or operating margin below Rs 1,300 crore or 2.5%, respectively, leading to lower cash accrual
  • Any large, debt-funded capex weakening capital structure

About the company

CACL was incorporated in 1985 and is promoted by Mr Raj Chopra. It raised funds through a public issue in 1996. The company is an authorised dealer for MSIL in Delhi, Haryana, and HP. It is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Key financial indicators

As on / for the period ended

 

31-Dec-2022

31-Mar-2022

31-Mar-2021

Operating income

Rs crore

1276.30

1245.24

1205.31

Reported profit after tax (PAT)

Rs crore

15.69

19.46

17.33

PAT margin

%

1.23

1.56

1.44

Adjusted debt/adjusted networth

Times

-

0.34

0.50

Interest coverage

Times

4.00

6.63

5.01

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL Ratings` complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments and are included (where applicable) in the 'Annexure - Details of Instrument' in this Rating Rationale.

CRISIL Ratings will disclose complexity level for all securities - including those that are yet to be placed - based on available information. The complexity level for instruments may be updated, where required, in the rating rationale published subsequent to the issuance of the instrument when details on such features are available.

For more details on the CRISIL Ratings` complexity levels please visit www.crisilratings.com. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.

Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)

ISIN Name of instrument Date of
allotment
Coupon
rate (%)
Maturity
date
Issue size
(Rs crore)
Complexity 
levels
Rating assigned
with outlook
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 40 NA CRISIL A-/Stable
NA Electronic Dealer Financing Scheme(e-DFS) NA NA NA 22 NA CRISIL A-/Stable
NA Inventory Funding Facility NA NA NA 220 NA CRISIL A-/Stable
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2023 (History) 2022  2021  2020  Start of 2020
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund Based Facilities LT 282.0 CRISIL A-/Stable   -- 04-05-22 CRISIL A-/Stable 03-06-21 CRISIL BBB+/Positive 22-09-20 CRISIL BBB+/Stable CRISIL BBB+/Positive
      --   --   --   -- 30-07-20 CRISIL BB+ /Stable(Issuer Not Cooperating)* --
Non-Fund Based Facilities ST   --   --   -- 03-06-21 CRISIL A2 22-09-20 CRISIL A2 CRISIL A2
      --   --   --   -- 30-07-20 CRISIL A4+ (Issuer Not Cooperating)* --
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
* - Issuer did not cooperate; based on best-available information
Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Name of Lender Rating
Cash Credit 40 HDFC Bank Limited CRISIL A-/Stable
Electronic Dealer Financing Scheme(e-DFS) 12 Bank of Baroda CRISIL A-/Stable
Electronic Dealer Financing Scheme(e-DFS) 10 Bank of Baroda CRISIL A-/Stable
Inventory Funding Facility 145 HDFC Bank Limited CRISIL A-/Stable
Inventory Funding Facility 75 HDFC Bank Limited CRISIL A-/Stable

This Annexure has been updated on 24-Apr-2023 in line with the lender-wise facility details as on 06-Sep-2021 received from the rated entity

Criteria Details
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Criteria for rating trading companies
Rating Criteria for Retailing Industry
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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