Rating Rationale
November 28, 2017 | Mumbai
Hero Motocorp Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.1100 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
 
Rs.15 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Fixed Deposits  FAAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Rs.16 Crore Commercial Paper CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
*The common independent director on CRISIL's and Hero MotoCorp Ltd's boards did not participate in the rating committee meeting and the rating process of these instruments.
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL AAA/FAAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+' ratings on the debt programmes, fixed deposit, and bank loan facilities of Hero Motocorp Limited (HMCL). The ratings continue to reflect the company's strong business risk profile because of leadership position in the two-wheeler market in India, and robust financial risk profile due to large networth, negligible debt, and substantial liquid surplus. These strengths are partially offset by exposure to intense competition, and a modest presence in the premium motorcycles segment and in the export market.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at its ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of HMCL and its subsidiaries. CRISIL has also made adjustments for the assets and liabilities of HMCL's financing business, conducted by its associate finance company Hero FinCorp Ltd ('CRISIL AA+/Stable/CRISIL A1+').

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Leadership in the two-wheeler market in India
HMCL continues to be the market leader in the two-wheeler segment, with a domestic market share of over 36% for the first six months of fiscal 2018. HMCL is India's largest motorcycle manufacturer and the third-largest scooter manufacturer, accounting for 51.4% and 12.4%, respectively, of the domestic market share for the first six months of fiscal 2018. In the domestic motorcycle market, the executive segment is the largest, accounting for 52.5%of the motorcycle industry. HMCL's 63.7% market share in this segment contributes to a leadership position in the overall motorcycle market. The company's market position is backed by strong brand appeal, wide distribution and service network, and focus on rural markets.

* Robust financial risk profile
HMCL's financial risk profile remains robust, supported by its near debt-free status, robust cash accrual, and substantial liquid surplus. Strong financial position helps withstand competitive challenges in terms of pricing, and make fresh investments. HMCL is likely to undertake capital expenditure (capex) of Rs 2700crore over the next two years which is expected to be funded largely through internal accrual. Furthermore, HMCL's liquidity benefits from substantial liquid surplus of over Rs 4800 crore as on March 31, 2017.

Weaknesses
* Exposure to intense competition in the two-wheeler segment in India
The Indian two-wheeler market is highly competitive, with the presence of 12 players, including Honda Motorcycles & Scooters India Pvt Ltd (HMSI), Bajaj Auto Ltd ('CRISIL AAA/FAAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), and TVS Motors Ltd. Furthermore, players regularly launch new models. HMSI had entered the two-wheeler industry after separation from HMCL, thereby increasing competition. While HMSI has increased its market share, HMCL has maintained its leadership position on the back of new products and refreshers, introduction of five-year warranties, and enhanced dealership network. The company will continue to focus on in-house research and development (R&D) to launch new models with in-house technology. Consequently, it will increase its R&D spend, especially as the royalty payment which waspart of the agreement with Honda Motor Company, Japan (HMC),ceased in June 2014. To enhance its technological prowess, the company has entered into a strategic alliance with Milan, Italy-headquartered Magneti Marelli to develop and manufacture new-generation fuelling systems. Launch of new models and continuous investment in R&D will be crucial for sustaining the leadership position in the Indian two-wheeler market.

* Moderate presence in premium and export segment of motorcycles
While HMCL had a 63.7% market share in the domestic executive segment and a 39.4% market share in the domestic economy segment, its share in the high-value premium segment, which has higher profitability, was modest at 3.6%, in the first six months of fiscal 2018. The premium segment is one of the fastest-growing motorcycle segments, with customers increasingly upgrading to premium bikes. Share in export is also low at 6.5%, with export constituting only 2.3% of total sales volume in the first six months of fiscal 2018. The company has started assembly plants in Columbia and Bangladesh to improve export volume, and will target new geographies in Africa, Nigeria, and Argentina. An increasing presence in the international market will improve revenue diversity and cushion the impact of increasing competition or any slowdown in the domestic markets.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes that HMCL will maintain its robust credit risk profile over the medium term, on the back of its leadership in India's motorcycle market. The outlook may be revised to 'Negative' in case of a sustained decline in the company's market share or sharp deterioration in its operating profitability.

About the Company

HMCL, formerly Hero Honda Motors Ltd, was jointly promoted by the Munjal family based in Ludhiana, Punjab, and HMC in 1984, and began manufacturing motorcycles in 1985. The company has five plants in India'one each in Dharuhera andGurugram, in Haryana; Haridwar, Uttaranchal; Neemrana, Rajasthan; and Vadodara in Gujarat, with a combined manufacturing capacity of 92 lakh units per annum. It also has a plant in Villa Rica, Columbia with a capacity of 0.8 lakh units per annum.

In fiscal 2011, HMC agreed to transfer its entire shareholding of 26% in the company to the Munjal family, bringing an end to the joint venture (JV) between the two promoter groups. HMCL entered into a new licence agreement on January 1, 2011, with HMC, giving HMCL the right and licence to manufacture, assemble, sell, and distribute certain products and their service parts under HMC's Intellectual Property Rights. During fiscal 2012, in view of the separation of the JV partners, the company got its present name.

For the six months ended September 30, 2017, on a standalone basis, PAT was Rs 1,924 crore (Rs 1,887crore for the corresponding period of the previous fiscal) on total income of Rs 17,224 crore (Rs 16,732 crore).

Key Financial Indicators (Consolidated)
As on / for the period ended March 31 Unit 2017 2016
Revenue Rs Cr. 31,480 31,128
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs Cr. 3,546 3,112
PAT Margins % 11.2 9.9
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.03 0.03
Interest coverage Times 164 405

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL complexity levels for instruments that they consider for investment. 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 Cr) Rating Assigned with Outlook
NA Fund-Based Facilities# NA NA NA 25 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Fund-Based Facilities* NA NA NA 700 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Fund-Based Facilities NA NA NA 77.1 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Non-Fund-Based Limit NA NA NA 128 CRISIL A1+
NA Non-Fund-Based Limit# NA NA NA 50 CRISIL A1+
NA Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits NA NA NA 119.9 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Non-Convertible Debentures@ NA NA NA 15 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Commercial Paper NA NA 7-365 days 16 CRISIL A1+
NA Fixed Deposit NA NA NA 0 FAAA/Stable
*Funded facility interchangeable with non-funded lines
#Combined facility not to exceed the total sanction amount

@Yet to be issued
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2017 (History) 2016  2015  2014  Start of 2014
Instrument Type Quantum Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Commercial Paper  ST  16  CRISIL A1+    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  CRISIL A1+ 
Fixed Deposits  FD  FAAA/Stable    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  FAAA/Stable 
Non Convertible Debentures  LT  15  CRISIL AAA/Stable    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  CRISIL AAA/Stable 
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  922  CRISIL AAA/Stable    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  CRISIL AAA/Stable 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  178  CRISIL A1+    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  CRISIL A1+ 
Table reflects instances where rating is changed or freshly assigned. 'No Rating Change' implies that there was no rating change under the release.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Fund-Based Facilities# 25 CRISIL AAA/Stable Fund-Based Facilities# 25 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Fund-Based Facilities* 700 CRISIL AAA/Stable Fund-Based Facilities* 625 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Fund-Based Facilities 77.1 CRISIL AAA/Stable Fund-Based Facilities 77.1 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Non-Fund Based Limit 128 CRISIL A1+ Non-Fund Based Limit 128 CRISIL A1+
Non-Fund Based Limit# 50 CRISIL A1+ Non-Fund Based Limit# 50 CRISIL A1+
Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits 119.9 CRISIL AAA/Stable Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits 194.9 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Total 1100 -- Total 1100 --
*Funded facility interchangeable with non-funded lines
#Combined facility not to exceed the total sanction amount
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CRISIL Governance and Value Creation Ratings
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