Rating Rationale
December 28, 2017 | Mumbai
Nissan Renault Financial Services India Private Limited
'CRISIL A1+' assigned to CP
 
Rating Action
Rs.300 Crore Commercial Paper CRISIL A1+ (Assigned)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has assigned its 'CRISIL A1+' rating to the Rs 300 crore commercial paper of Nissan Renault Financial Services India Private Limited (NRFSI). The rating factors in NRFSI's strategic importance to its ultimate parent, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd (NMC), Japan (rated 'A/Stable/A-1' by S&P Global Ratings [S&P Global]) and its strong moral obligation to support the Indian subsidiary, both on an ongoing basis and in the event of distress. The expectation of support is based on NMC's majority ownership in NRFSI, the shared brand, and strong operational linkages. The ratings also factor in the strong liquidity policy and comfortable capitalisation.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the rating, CRISIL has factored in the support that NRFSI is expected to receive from its ultimate parent, NMC  

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Strategic importance to, and expectation of strong support from, ultimate parent, NMC
NRFSI, a joint venture between Nissan International Holdings B.V, a wholly owned subsidiary of NMC and RCI Banque, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Renault S.A. (Renault). NMC and Renault also have an alliance at the global level. NMC ultimately holds 70% and Renault holds the remaining 30% in NRFSI. NMC and Renault have infused equity capital of Rs 497 crore and Rs 213 crore in NRFSI so far, and will likely infuse further capital to support NRFSI's growth plans as and when required. NMC, being the majority shareholder, controls the day-to-day operations of NRFSI while Renault participates in strategic decision making. Being the captive financier of Nissan, Datsun and Renault vehicles in India, NRFSI receives significant financial, operations and managerial support from NMC, given the strategic role it plays in strengthening Nissan and Renault's market share and sales in India. NMC views India as a key market, as reflected in its presence across manufacturing, sales and marketing and financing in the country. NRFSI's risk management policies, systems, and processes are in line with those globally approved by NMC. NRFSI also benefits from NMC's global linkages with foreign banks operating in India Nissan group companies have also invested in NRFSI bonds. CRISIL believes that the ownership, shared brand, and strong operational integration lead to a high moral obligation on NMC to support NRFSI.
 
* Comfortable capitalisation
Capitalisation is comfortable, with a net worth of Rs 753 crore as on September 30, 2017. The shareholders have infused Rs 710 crore so far and will likely infuse further capital over the medium term to support NRFSI's growth. Gearing was 1.8 times as on September 30, 2017 (1.4 time as on March 31, 2017) and is expected to increase over the medium term as the portfolio grows.
 
* Adequate liquidity
NRFSI is expected to maintain a well matched asset-liability profile. Commercial paper will be used primarily to finance the short-tenor floor plan financing book. The company also has Rs 950 crore of sanctioned bank lines as on September 30, 2017, all of which was unutilised as of September 30, 2017.

Weaknesses
* Relatively small player in the overall finance market, with limited track record of operations

NRFSI is a relatively small player in the overall vehicle finance market. It started its operations in June 2014. Its loan portfolio stood at around Rs 2147 crore as on September 30, 2017 (around Rs 1757 crore as on March 31, 2017). Around 74% of the portfolio comprised financing of new cars and the remaining was largely dealer financing. ; NRFSI has maintained its asset quality at adequate levels, with gross non-performing assets (NPAs) at 1.47% as on September 30, 2017 (1.74% as on March 31, 2017). However, given the limited track record of operations, the portfolio is not yet seasoned. The ability to maintain asset quality as the company scales up its operations would be demonstrated only over the longer term.
About the Company

NRFSI is a joint venture between Nissan International Holdings B.V, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nissan Motor Company Limited and RCI Banque S.A, a wholly owned subsidiary of Renault S.A. The company was incorporated in October 2013 and received its non-banking financial company (NBFC) licence in July 2014. NRFSI finances Nissan, Renault, and Datsun branded vehicles in India by extending retail credit, dealer financing and Insurance & Services.
  
Nissan Motor Company Limited, headquartered in Japan, is a leading international automaker with a presence in over 160 countries. The company is the second largest Japanese automaker in terms of volumes sold, at about 54 lakh units worldwide in fiscal 2016. Nissan reported a consolidated net income of JPY523.8 billion on net sales of JPY12.2 trillion during fiscal 2016.

Key Financial Indicators
As on/for the year ended March 31 Units 2017 2016
Total assets Rs crore 1863 924
Total income Rs crore 162 71
Profit After Tax Rs crore 24 6
Gross NPA % 1.74 1.62
Gearing Times 1.4 0.6
Return on assets % 1.8 1.0

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 crore) Rating outstanding with outlook
NA Commercial paper NA NA 7-365 days 300 CRISIL A1+
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  300  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.
Links to related criteria
Rating Criteria for Finance Companies
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Companies based on Parent Support

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