Rating Rationale
September 30, 2019 | 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's boards did not participate in the rating committee meeting and the rating process of these instruments.
Detailed Rationale
CRISIL has reaffirmed its ratings on the debt programmes and bank loan facilities of Hero MotoCorp Limited (HMCL) at 'CRISIL AAA/FAAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'. The ratings continue to reflect a strong business risk profile because of a leadership position in the two-wheeler market in India, and a robust financial risk profile due to a large networth, nominal debt, and substantial liquid surplus. These rating strengths are partially offset by exposure to intense competition, and a modest presence in the premium motorcycles segment and in the export market.
 
Revenue in fiscal 2020 is expected to moderate on-year due to weak demand, also reflected in 8.1% decline in revenues during first quarter of fiscal 2020. Recent government initiatives may support to cap further downside and gradual recovery in demand from October 2019. Operating profitability to remain in the range of 12-13% during the current fiscal. As a result, HMCL is expected to generate cash accruals of Rs. 1785 crore.
 
On standalone level, the company continues to be debt free. On a consolidated basis, gross debt increased to Rs 311 crore as on March 31, 2019, from Rs.228 crore as on March 31, 2018, due to higher short term borrowings to meet incremental working capital needs. Credit metrics continued to remain strong; gearing levels was at 0.02 times as on fiscal 2019. Liquidity remains strong with cash surpluses of over Rs. 4600 crore with unutilised bank lines.
Analytical Approach

For arriving at its ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of HMCL and its subsidiaries. The company also has investments in financing business company Hero FinCorp Ltd (HFL; rated 'CRISIL AA+/Stable/CRISIL A1+'). CRISIL believes that this business will receive support from HMCL, depending on strategic importance to it, and the extent of its shareholding and investment in it.  CRISIL has made financial adjustments to factor in this support. Adjustments have also been made for the assets and liabilities of HFL (for which no recourse to HMCL) as per CRISIL's capital allocation approach for the financing business undertaken by HFL.

Please refer Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated, which captures the list of entities considered and their analytical treatment of consolidation.

 

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Leadership in two-wheeler market in India
HMCL had a market share of nearly 36% in the domestic two-wheeler market in fiscal 2019. The company is India's largest motorcycle manufacturer and fourth-largest scooter manufacturer, accounting for 50.8% and 8%, respectively, of the domestic market share in fiscal 2019. The market position is also backed by strong brand appeal, wide distribution and service network, and considerable focus on growing rural markets. During Q1, HMCL launched three next-gen motorcycles for markets around the world including in India - the XPulse 200, the XPulse 200T and the Xtreme 200S, which are expected to benefit volume growth in near term. To further strengthen its presence in the scooter segment, the Company also introduced two new scooters - Maestro Edge 125 and Pleasure+ 110.

* Robust financial risk profile
The company has a near debt-free status, robust cash accrual, and substantial liquid surplus of over Rs 4600 crore as on March 31, 2019. The strong financial position enables it to withstand competitive challenges in terms of pricing as well as making fresh investments. Capital expenditure (capex) of ~Rs 1500 crore is expected for expanding capacity at the Andhra Pradesh plant, other capacity expansion, and product innovation and technology upgradation over fiscals 2020; this is likely to be mainly funded through internal cash accrual.

Weaknesses
* Exposure to intense competition in the two-wheeler segment in India
The Indian two-wheeler market remains 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 continue to launch new models. Entry of HMSI in 2003 and subsequent separation of Honda Motor Company (HMC) from HMCL increased the competitive intensity in the segment.

While HMSI has increased its market share, HMCL has been able to maintain its leadership position on the back of new products and refreshes, introduction of five-year warranty, and an enhanced dealership network. The company will continue its focus on in-house research and development (R&D) to launch new models with its own technology. As a part of increasing its technological prowess, it had entered into a strategic alliance with Magneti Marelli, headquartered in Milan, Italy, to develop and manufacture new-generation fuelling systems. Launch of new models and continuous investment in R&D will be crucial for sustaining its leadership position in the Indian two-wheeler market.

* Moderate presence in premium and export segments of motorcycles
While the company had a 70% market share in the domestic executive segment and a 58.5% market share in the domestic economy segment, its share in the high-value premium segment, which has higher profitability, was moderate at 2.5%, in fiscal 2019. The premium segment has been one of the faster-growing motorcycle segments, with customers upgrading to premium bikes. During fiscal 2019, the company has launched Xtreme 200R and plans to launch Xpulse models in order to establish its presence in the premium segment. The share in the export market is also low at 7%, with exports constituting only 2.7% of total sales volume in fiscal 2019. The company has started assembly plants in Colombia and Bangladesh to improve export volumes; it will also target new geographies including SAARC nations. An increasing presence in the export market will improve revenue mix and cushion the impact of increasing competitive intensity or any slowdown in the domestic market.

Liquidity: Superior
HMCL has huge cash and liquid investments of over Rs.4600 crores. Unutilised bank lines and cash accrual of Rs 1500 crore per annum will be sufficient to fund capex of Rs 1000-1500 crore annually.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes HMCL will maintain its robust credit risk profile over the medium term on the back of its leadership in India's motorcycle market.

Rating sensitivity factors
Downward Factor
* Sustained decline in market share to below 20% or sharp deterioration in operating profitability to below 10%
* Sizeable cash outflow in the form of dividends or share buyback, severely depleting cash surpluses.

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. In 2011 the JV partners separated to pursue their position in the 2w industry.The company has five plants in India: one each in Dharuhera and Gurugram, Haryana; Haridwar, Uttaranchal; Neemrana, Rajasthan; and Vadodra, 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.

As of Q1 of fiscal 20 the company reported Rs. 8185 crore in revenue (Rs. 8913 crore for the corresponding period last year) and Rs. 930 crore in operating profit (Rs. 1250 crore for the corresponding period last year).

Key Financial Indicators (Consolidated)
As on/for the period ended March 31 Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs crore 33551 31908
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore 3,466 3722
PAT Margin % 10.33 11.67
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.02 0.02
Interest coverage Times 150.3 189.1

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.Crs) Rating Assigned with Outlook
NA Fund-Based Facilities* NA NA NA 165.0 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Fund-Based Facilities* NA NA NA 70.0 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Fund-Based Facilities* NA NA NA 7.1 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Proposed Fund-Based Facilities* NA NA NA 194.9 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Non-Fund Based Limit* NA NA NA 175.0 CRISIL A1+
NA Non-Fund Based Limit* NA NA NA 100.0 CRISIL A1+
NA Non-Fund Based Limit* NA NA NA 50.0 CRISIL A1+
NA Non-Fund Based Limit* NA NA NA 80.0 CRISIL A1+
NA Non-Fund Based Limit* NA NA NA 33.0 CRISIL A1+
NA Non-Fund Based Limit* NA NA NA 100.0 CRISIL A1+
NA Non-Fund Based Limit* NA NA NA 25.0 CRISIL A1+
NA Non-Fund Based Limit* NA NA NA 100.0 CRISIL A1+
NA Non-Convertible Debentures@ NA NA NA 15 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Commercial Paper NA NA 7-365 days 16 CRISIL A1+
NA Fixed Deposits NA NA NA 0 FAAA/Stable
*Funded facility interchangeable with non-funded lines
@Yet to be issued
 
Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated
Sr. No Subsidiary Companies: Subsidiary/ Joint Venture/Associate Extent of consolidation
1 Hero FinCorp Limited Associate 41.18%
2 HMC MM Auto Limited Subsidiary 60%
3 HMCL (NA) Inc. Subsidiary 100%
4 Erik Buell Racing Inc. Associate 49.20%
5 HMCL Americas Inc. Subsidiary 100%
6 HMCL Netherlands B.V. Subsidiary 100%
7 HMCL Columbia SAS Step Down Subsidiary 68%
8 HMCL Niloy Bangladesh Limited Step Down Subsidiary 55%
9 Ather Energy Private Limited Associate 32.31%
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2019 (History) 2018  2017  2016  Start of 2016
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Commercial Paper  ST  16.00  CRISIL A1+      27-11-18  CRISIL A1+  28-11-17  CRISIL A1+  21-12-16  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
                    25-07-16  CRISIL A1+   
Fixed Deposits  FD  0.00  FAAA/Stable      27-11-18  FAAA/Stable  28-11-17  FAAA/Stable  21-12-16  FAAA/Stable  FAAA/Stable 
                    25-07-16  FAAA/Stable   
Non Convertible Debentures  LT  15.00
30-09-19 
CRISIL AAA/Stable      27-11-18  CRISIL AAA/Stable  28-11-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable  21-12-16  CRISIL AAA/Stable  CRISIL AAA/Stable 
                    25-07-16  CRISIL AAA/Stable   
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  437.00  CRISIL AAA/Stable      27-11-18  CRISIL AAA/Stable  28-11-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable  21-12-16  CRISIL AAA/Stable  CRISIL AAA/Stable 
                    25-07-16  CRISIL AAA/Stable   
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  663.00  CRISIL A1+      27-11-18  CRISIL A1+  28-11-17  CRISIL A1+  21-12-16  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
                    25-07-16  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
Fund-Based Facilities* 165 CRISIL AAA/Stable Fund-Based Facilities# 25 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Fund-Based Facilities* 70 CRISIL AAA/Stable Fund-Based Facilities* 700 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Fund-Based Facilities* 7.1 CRISIL AAA/Stable Fund-Based Facilities 77.1 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Non-Fund Based Limit* 175 CRISIL A1+ Non-Fund Based Limit 128 CRISIL A1+
Non-Fund Based Limit* 100 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
Non-Fund Based Limit* 80 CRISIL A1+      
Non-Fund Based Limit* 33 CRISIL A1+      
Non-Fund Based Limit* 100 CRISIL A1+      
Non-Fund Based Limit* 25 CRISIL A1+      
Non-Fund Based Limit* 100 CRISIL A1+      
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
Links to related criteria
CRISIL Governance and Value Creation Ratings
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
The Rating Process

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