Rating Rationale
June 30, 2020 | Mumbai
Fiat India Automobiles Private Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.2000 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA-/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
 
Rs.625 Crore Commercial Paper CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its ratings on the bank facilities and commercial paper programme of Fiat India Automobiles Private Limited (Fiat India) at 'CRISIL AA-/Stable/CRISIL A1+'.
 
The reaffirmation continues to reflect healthy business risk profile supported by committed agreements with the principal shareholders (FCA Italy SPA (FCA; a subsidiary of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, rated 'BB+/Watch Positive/B' by S&P Global Ratings) and Tata Motors Ltd (TML; rated 'CRISIL AA-/Negative/CRISIL A1+') for take or pay arrangement and healthy financial risk profile with adequate liquidity.
 
In fiscal 2021, the revenue growth is expected to be impacted owing to COVID-19 induced demand slowdown in automobile industry. However the revenue de-growth at Fiat India is expected to be lower than industry owing to expected increase in the offtake of powertrains by MG Motors as well as increase in offtake of 1.2 ltr engines by TML. Supply of these primarily started in second half of fiscal 2020 and will contribute for full year in fiscal 2021.   
 
Operating profitability is expected to remain stable ~12-13% owing to presence of take or pay agreement with JV partners, which will insulate the profitability in the weak demand scenario along with productivity enhancement measures undertaken by company.  
 
Financial profile remains healthy with cash & equivalents of ~Rs 400 crore and unutilized bank limits of Rs 250 crore in May 2020. The debt repayments of Rs 320-380 crore per annum over fiscal 2021 & 2022 are expected to be serviced from the cash accrual which are expected at Rs 600-700 crore per annum over medium term. Liquidity to remain comfortable with expected sustenance of cash and equivalent of Rs 150-200 crore at any point of time for exigency. The company incurred capex around of Rs 600 crore in 2020 and plans to incur Rs 700 crore of capex in fiscal 2021 for facelift, and change in diesel powertrain capacity to petrol engine. In spite of the large capex, the debt levels are expected to remain at similar levels as compared to Rs 1551 crore as on March 2020 as the capex will be primarily funded out of internal accrual.
 
Earlier in fiscal 2020, revenue de-grew by 17% in fiscal 2020 driven by slowdown in the automobile sector. However operating margins improved to ~13.5% in fiscal 2020 as against 11.5% in previous fiscal driven by take or pay arrangement as well as cost cutting measures undertaken by the company.
 
Over the medium term, gradual increase in volumes for Jeep model, key measures like product mix enhancement with new, refreshed and extended product range by FCA India Automobiles Pvt Ltd (FCAIAPL) and expected sales of powertrains to existing and new models of TML will remain the key drivers for the growth.
 
The ratings continue to reflect committed agreements with the principal shareholders for take or pay arrangement and healthy financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by pressure on the market position of the principal customers, driven by increasing competition in the domestic passenger car market, and sizeable working capital requirement.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Committed agreements with principal customers: The entire capacity is covered under a take-or-pay arrangement with the principal shareholders: FCA and TML. This helps protect investment from the risk of low production. Furthermore, the shareholders pay for fixed costs including interest cost on external borrowings incurred by Fiat India for any unused portion of the reserved capacity.
 
* Healthy financial risk profile: Financial risk profile is supported by a comfortable capital structure, sizeable cash accrual, and comfortable liquidity, despite capex and upcoming repayment obligation. Net worth was Rs 3573 crore as on March 31, 2020, backed by steady accretion to reserve. Gearing stood at 0.43 time, and is expected to remain below 0.5 time over the medium term, because of capex plans and stable cash accrual.
 
Weaknesses
* Pressure on the market positions of key customers due to intensifying competition: Market positions of principal customers remain low, with TML's share in the passenger vehicle segment at 4.98% and FCAIAPL's at 0.30% in fiscal 2020. Though the take-or-pay arrangement covers the fixed cost, revenue and profitability are constrained in case there is a decline in sales volume, leading to reduction in Industrial Promotion Subsidy (IPS) refunds. Furthermore, Fiat India's business prospects are linked to the performance of Jeep Compass and Tata Nexon models. Limited product diversification may impact on business risk profile over the medium term due to intense competition in the passenger vehicle segment. Fiat India is likely to receive business for upcoming new models of its principal customers which will support to sustain growth in the medium term
 
* Sizeable working capital requirement: Overheads incurred for unused capacity are billed to the principal customers quarterly, but is mainly collected within 90 days of the end of the financial year leading to higher working capital requirement. In case of sub-par capacity utilisation, dependence on lumpy take-or-pay cash flow settlement increases, leading to further rise in working capital requirement. Any delay in realisation of take-or-pay receivables will remain a monitorable. Moreover, collection of IPS refunds follows a long cycle, requiring working capital funding support. However, first tranche of IPS receivables of Rs 158 crore pertaining to fiscal 2017-18 has been received from Government of Maharashtra in February 2020. This sets the way for future financial years IPS refunds. Also, the structuring of repayment on the Jeep Compass project loan into half-yearly instalments, with most of the annual obligation due in June, mitigates the risk associated with lumpiness in cash flow.
Liquidity Strong

Liquidity profile to remain comfortable with cash accruals of more than Rs 600-700 crore per annum and prudent working capital requirement. The commercial paper and bank limits were utilised at an average of 23% for the past 8 months ending May 2020. Fiat India is expected to keep cash and equivalent of Rs 150-200 crore at any point of time for exigency. The cash and cash equivalents are Rs 626 crore as on 31st March 2020. The company is expected to incur capex of over Rs 1200-1700 crore over FY 2021 and FY 2022 which will be primarily funded through internal accruals and debt. The annual debt repayments are expected in the range of Rs 320-380 crore over fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022. The net cash accruals will be sufficient to fulfil the debt obligation.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes despite challenging business environment, Fiat India's business risk profile will be supported by take-or-pay agreement with FCA and TML and healthy operating performance in powertrains segment. Further financial risk profile is expected to continue to be healthy, supported by adequate liquidity, steady cash flow from operations and healthy capital structure.

Rating Sensitivity Factors
Upward Factors
* Better-than-expected cash flow, backed by increased and diversified demand from the principal customers
* Efficient working capital management, strengthening financial risk profile with net Debt/EBITDA coming below 1 times

Downward Factors
* Significant decline in demand from the principal customers, leading to materially higher dependence on take-or-pay agreement for revenue
* Delay in realisation of take-or-pay receivables, or any adverse change in the sales agreement with the principal customers
* Weakening of financial risk profile because of a large debt-funded capex or stretch in working capital cycle leading net debt/EBITDA of more than 2.5 times
* Steep rating revision of its key shareholders.

About the Company

Fiat India, established in December 2006, is an equal joint venture of TML and FCA. It has a manufacturing plant on more than a 200 acre site in Ranjangaon, Maharashtra, and has two divisions'cars and powertrains. Annual production capacity of the plant is 130,000 cars and 300,000 powertrains. The plant was set up at a project cost of Rs 4,000 crore, funded through Rs 1,900 crore of external debt, Rs 700 crore through loans from promoters, and Rs 1,400 crore through equity contribution of promoters.
 
In June 2017, the company commissioned its Jeep Compass project at a cost of Rs 1,868 crore, funded through external debt (Rs 1,481 crore) and cash accrual (Rs 387 crore). The capex was mainly to modify assembly lines and body shop, and debottleneck the paint shop to manufacture the Jeep Compass model on the existing line. The project included a 2-litre diesel engine line with an annual production capacity of 30,000 engines, to be used for the Jeep Compass model manufactured for the domestic market. The capacity has since increased to 100000 Engines to cater to demand from TML for 2L engines
 
During fiscal 2020, company has completed the first phase of capex to be done for conversion of 1.3 ltr diesel engine powertrain capacity to 1.2 ltr petrol engine for 30K powertrain capacity and phase II for 2.7 lakh engines capex is expected to be completed in fiscal 2021
 
For the year fiscal 2020, company profit after tax (PAT) is Rs 287 crore on revenue of Rs 6004 crore as against PAT of Rs 190 crore in fiscal 2019 on revenues of Rs 7249 crore.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs crore 7145 6903
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore 190 367
PAT Margin % 2.66 5.3
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.42 0.57
Interest coverage Times 6.22 8.21

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL 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. For more details on the CRISIL complexity levels, please visit www.crisil.com/complexity-levels.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of instrument Date of allotment Coupon rate (%) Maturity date Issue size (Rs.Crore) Complexity level Rating assigned with outlook
NA Letter of Credit* NA NA NA 10 NA CRISIL A1+
NA Cash credit NA NA NA 610 NA CRISIL AA-/Stable
NA External commercial borrowings NA NA 31-May-2023 659 NA CRISIL AA-/Stable
NA Foreign currency term loan NA NA 31-May-2023 132 NA CRISIL AA-/Stable
NA Rupee term loan NA NA 30-Sept-2025 500 NA CRISIL AA-/Stable
NA Proposed long-term bank loan facility NA NA NA 89 NA CRISIL AA-/Stable
NA Commercial paper NA NA 7-365 days 625 Simple CRISIL A1+
*Interchangeable with bank guarantee
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2020 (History) 2019  2018  2017  Start of 2017
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Commercial Paper  ST  625.00  CRISIL A1+      27-06-19  CRISIL A1+  07-08-18  CRISIL A1+  01-09-17  Withdrawal  CRISIL A1 
                    13-06-17  CRISIL A1   
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  1990.00  CRISIL AA-/Stable      27-06-19  CRISIL AA-/Stable  07-08-18  CRISIL AA-/Stable  12-09-17  CRISIL A/Positive  CRISIL A-/Stable 
                14-02-18  CRISIL AA-/Stable  01-09-17  CRISIL A/Stable   
                    13-06-17  CRISIL A/Stable   
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  10.00  CRISIL A1+      27-06-19  CRISIL A1+  07-08-18  CRISIL A1+  12-09-17  CRISIL A1  CRISIL A1 
                14-02-18  CRISIL A1+  01-09-17  CRISIL A1   
                    13-06-17  CRISIL A1   
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Cash Credit 610 CRISIL AA-/Stable Cash Credit 625 CRISIL AA-/Stable
External Commercial Borrowings 659 CRISIL AA-/Stable External Commercial Borrowings 757.4 CRISIL AA-/Stable
Foreign Currency Term Loan 132 CRISIL AA-/Stable Foreign Currency Term Loan 151.5 CRISIL AA-/Stable
Letter of Credit* 10 CRISIL A1+ Letter of Credit* 10 CRISIL A1+
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 89 CRISIL AA-/Stable Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 444.51 CRISIL AA-/Stable
Rupee Term Loan 500 CRISIL AA-/Stable Rupee Term Loan 11.59 CRISIL AA-/Stable
Total 2000 -- Total 2000 --
*Interchangeable with bank guarantee
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
Rating Criteria for Auto Component Suppliers
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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