Rating Rationale
April 29, 2020 | Mumbai
Maruti Suzuki India Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.3000 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating 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 of Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) at 'CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'.
 
Amidst a wider consumption slowdown, liquidity crunch and transition to stringent BS-VI emission norms, fiscal 2020 was a challenging year for the Indian automobile year. The situation was further aggravated due to the spread of Coronavirus (N-Covid 19) across India and overseas markets in the last quarter of the fiscal. Consequently, MSIL's sales volume declined by 18% in fiscal 2020 in line with the decline in overall passenger vehicle (PV) market.
 
Despite the slowdown in demand and aggressive growth by new overseas entrants, especially in the sports utility vehicle (SUV) segment, MSIL retained its stronghold in the Indian PV market and maintained its overall market share at 51% in fiscal 2020, supported by its strong brand, extensive product portfolio, wide distribution network and pro-activeness in introduction of BS-VI models well in advance.
 
While demand in fiscal 2021 is expected to remain subdued both in the domestic and export markets due to the on-going lockdown situation and challenging business environment, MSIL remains best placed to sustain its market leadership in the PV segment, supported by its established dealer network, including in non-metro markets, and demonstrated acceptance of its BS-VI models on the ground.
 
The ratings continue to reflect MSIL's dominant position in the domestic PV segment, healthy operating efficiencies, robust financial risk profile, and superior liquidity. These strengths are partially offset by partial vulnerability of operating profitability to intense competition and cyclical automotive sales, as well as to foreign exchange (forex) risk.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at its rating, CRISIL has consolidated the business and financial risk profiles of MSIL along with its 100% owned subsidiaries, J.J Impex (Delhi) Private Limited and True Value Solutions Limited.

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
* Dominant market position in the domestic passenger vehicle (PV) segment: MSIL dominates the PV segment, reflected in its market share of 51% in fiscal 2020 despite the challenging market conditions.
 
In the recent past, the company successfully launched new models (Ignis, Baleno, Vitara Brezza, New Swift, New Ertiga, New WagonR, S-Cross, XL6 and S-Presso) in the mid-to-premium segments, which has improved its product portfolio. Further, MSIL has also successfully transitioned its entire portfolio into BS-VI models, ahead of competition. Success of existing models, combined with expanding product portfolio and acceptance of its BS-VI models has solidified its dominant market position. For instance, in fiscal 2020, MSIL had 7 models in the list of top 10 models sold during the year. Over the medium term, the company will continue to launch new models in the mid-to-premium segment, while focusing on the entry segment. Launch of its NEXA dealership in 2015, for select and largely premium models, has enhanced its presence in the mid-to-premium segment. CRISIL believes MSIL will maintain its market leadership over the medium term, due to its strong product portfolio and distribution network.
 
MSIL has effectively leveraged its association with its parent, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), which has extended product development support, shared technological expertise, and provided access to a broad product range. Besides manufacturing vehicles at its own plants in Gurgaon and Manesar in Haryana, it sources vehicles from SMC's wholly owned subsidiary in Gujarat, Suzuki Motor Gujarat (SMG), under a contract manufacturing arrangement, wherein the vehicles will be sold to MSIL at cost. Plant I at Gujarat was completed and started commercial production from February 2017 with an annual capacity of 2.5 lac units. In January 2019, SMG completed the construction of Plant II and started production. Plant II also has an annual capacity of 2.5 lac units. Along with Plant II, the powertrain plant has also become operational. Construction of Plant III has already begun and the same is expected to come online in fiscal 2021, taking the capacity of the Gujarat plant to 7.5 lac units annually and cumulative installed capacity of MSIL plus SMG to 22.5 lac units.
 
* High operating efficiencies engendering cost competitiveness: MSIL's operating efficiency is among the best in the industry, supported by continuous process improvement, high indigenisation, established linkages with component suppliers, and flexible manufacturing processes, resulting in effective cost control. While operating margin may moderate in fiscal 2021 owing to nationwide lockdown during the first quarter of the fiscal and subsequent slow ramp up in demand, it is expected to range between 8-10% over the medium term. Furthermore, return on capital employed, estimated at 10% in fiscal 2020, is expected to improve gradually over the medium term with sustained operating profitability, and as business volumes pick up.
 
* Strong financial risk profile: MSIL has maintained its strong financial risk profile with estimated large net worth and liquidity of Rs 50,000 crore and Rs 37,000 crore, respectively, as on March 31, 2020. The company has a strong cash generating ability, and is almost debt-free. CRISIL expects MSIL's key credit metrics to remain at robust levels, due to lower debt requirement, as accruals will more than suffice to fund its capital expenditure (capex) and working capital needs.
 
Weaknesses
* Susceptibility of profitability and market share to intense competition and business cycles: The Indian PV market remains highly competitive, with existing and new players launching new models regularly, especially in the compact and mid-size segment. The number of players in this segment increased to 19 in fiscal 2020 from 7 in fiscal 2008. With more players and models vying for a share of the growing pie, competition in the domestic PV market will intensify. MSIL's presence in the premium PV segment, though improving, remains modest. This segment is witnessing higher growth than the entry and sedan segments. CRISIL believes that MSIL's market position and operating profitability will depend on its ability to launch successful new variants and models in the domestic market. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, social distancing norms may result in higher demand for own vehicles, especially entry level and small PVs ' MSIL has the widest portfolio in this segment, and is well placed to benefit from the same.
 
The domestic PV industry has gone to 3-4 cycles in the past decade, with fiscals 2020 and 2021 witnessing steep fall in volumes. This does impact return on investments made, with most automotive OEMs making heavy investments for complying with the BS-VI regulations, as well as other regulations, which came into force in the recent past. MSIL though appears better placed than most of its peers, given that a sizeable part of its investments were also made by SMG.
 
* Exposure to forex risk: The company is exposed to risks related to fluctuations in forex rates because of its large import, royalty payments, and exports. Direct and indirect raw material imports constituted around 15% of net sales. Besides, MSIL pays a part of its royalty in yen. Royalty on MSIL plus SMG models put together is ~5.4% of net sales.
 
During fiscal 2018, parent SMC has approved a new method of calculation of royalty wherein for all new models starting with 'Ignis', royalty will be paid in Indian Rupee. Once a particular level of volume is achieved, royalty will gradually taper. This is likely to reduce exposure to forex fluctuations over the medium term. Exports constituted 6.5% of total volume in fiscal 2020 and partly provide a natural hedge for forex exposure. While MSIL hedges its forex exposure, CRISIL believes that the company's operating margins will remain slightly vulnerable to fluctuations in forex movements.
Liquidity Superior

MSIL has superior liquidity, on account of healthy cash accrual and liquid surplus of over Rs 37000 crore as on March 31, 2020. The investments for incremental capacity expansion would also be done by SMG; a wholly owned subsidiary of SMC. Cash accruals generated would are more than suffice to meet incremental capex (non-capacity expansion related) plans and working capital requirements. Financial flexibility is further enhanced by largely unutilised bank lines of Rs. 3000 crore. While MSIL is expected to provide financial support its dealer network and also vendors to tide over the challenging business environment, its liquid surpluses will still remain sizeable, supported by its healthy cash generating ability.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes that despite the challenging market conditions, MSIL will maintain its dominant position in the domestic PV segment, supported by a large and successful product portfolio, new launches, strong distribution network, and access to SMC's technology. The company is likely to maintain its robust financial risk profile. Its liquidity position is also expected to remain superior.

Rating Sensitivity Factors
Downward factors
* Significant decline in MSIL's market share by over 10% due to intensified competition
* Material increase in external debt, in the event of a large capex severely impacting its credit metrics ' gearing of above 1 time
* Sizeable increase in pay-out by way of buy-back, capital reduction, dividend or royalty to SMC, resulting in significant decline in cash surplus.

About the Company

Incorporated in 1981, MSIL is the market leader in the domestic passenger car industry. In 1982, the Government of India (GoI) and SMC entered into a joint venture agreement, whereby SMC acquired a 26% stake in MSIL. The ownership structure changed in fiscal 2003, when SMC increased its equity stake to 54.21%, making MSIL its subsidiary; SMC currently holds 56.21% stake in MSIL. By September 2007, GoI had offloaded its equity to Indian financial institutions, including banks and mutual funds.

MSIL currently has 17 models with over 150 variants across segments. These include (i) the mini segment: Alto and S-Presso; (ii) the B (compact) segment: Wagon R, Swift, Celerio, Ignis, Dzire, and Baleno; (iii) C (super compact) segment: Tour S; (iv) the D (mid-sized) segment: Ciaz; (v) the vans segment: Eeco; (vi) the SUV segment: Gypsy, Ertiga, S-Cross, Brezza & XL6; and (vii) the LCV segment: Super Carry. The company has manufacturing facilities in Gurgaon (two plants) and Manesar (three plants). Along with SMC's unit in Gujarat (2 plants), total installed capacity is around 2 million units per annum.

The company reported net profit of Rs 4355.3 crore on revenues of Rs 57452.3 crore for the nine month period ended December 31, 2019, compared with net profit of Rs 5819.8 crore on revenues of Rs 64595.4 crore during the corresponding period of previous fiscal.

Key Financial Indicators (Consolidated)
As on/for the period ended March 31 Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs.Cr 84093 78828
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs.Cr 7651 7881
PAT Margins % 9.1 10.0
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.01 0.00
Interest coverage Times 150.82 135.45

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 Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits* NA NA NA 2950 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Proposed Non Fund based limits NA NA NA 50 CRISIL A1+
*Interchangeable with non-fund based facilities to the extent of Rs 2330 crore
 
Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated
Names of Entities Consolidated Extent of Consolidation Rationale for Consolidation
J.J Impex (Delhi) Private Limited Full 50.87% shareholding and business synergies
True Value Solutions Limited. Full 100% shareholding, common management and common promoters
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
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  2950.00  CRISIL AAA/Stable      28-02-19  CRISIL AAA/Stable      01-11-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable  CRISIL AAA/Stable 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  50.00  CRISIL A1+      28-02-19  CRISIL A1+      01-11-17  CRISIL A1+  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
Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits* 2950 CRISIL AAA/Stable Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits* 2950 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Proposed Non Fund based limits 50 CRISIL A1+ Proposed Non Fund based limits 50 CRISIL A1+
Total 3000 -- Total 3000 --
*Interchangeable with non-fund based facilities to the extent of Rs 2330 crore
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
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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