Rating Rationale
October 29, 2020 | Mumbai
Popular Vehicles and Services Limited
Rated amount enhanced for Bank Debt
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.360 Crore (Enhanced from Rs.290 Crore)
Long Term RatingCRISIL BBB/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term RatingCRISIL A3+ (Assigned)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to Annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its rating on the long term bank facilities of Popular Vehicles and Services Limited (PVSL) at 'CRISIL BBB/Stable'; the short term facilities have been reassigned at 'CRISIL A3+'.
 
The rating continue to reflect the company's established market position as one of the largest dealer of Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL; rated CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+) in India and its moderate financial risk profile. These rating strengths are partially offset by susceptibility to intense competition in automobile dealership industry and exposure to cyclicality in automobile industry.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Established market position
PVSL has been associated with MSIL for close to three decades. PVSL is one of the largest dealers of MSIL in India. CRISIL believes PVSL will maintain its healthy market position in the automobile dealership market for MSIL in Kerala and remain an integral part of MSIL's distribution network in the country.
 
* Moderate financial risk profile
PVSL has moderate financial risk profile marked by comfortable capital structure. Though estimated total outside liabilities to adjusted networth (TOLANW) is estimated at 3.1 times as on March 31, 2020 owing to inventory pile up due to COVID19 lockdown. However, with steady accretion to reserves the TOLANW is estimated to be maintained at less than 3 times over the medium term. Debt protection metrics are moderate with estimated interest coverage ratio of 3.13 times for FY 2020.
 
Weaknesses
* Susceptibility to intense competition
PVSL's operations are concentrated in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, exposing the company to geographical concentration as any weakening in the region's economy will affect automotive sales and dealers such as PVSL. Furthermore, the automotive sector is intensely competitive, and has a large number of players in the mini, compact, mid-size, executive, premium, and luxury passenger car segments. The company faces intense competition from the unorganized used car market and from dealers of other car manufacturers.
 
* Exposure to volatility in economic cycles and industry downturns
Automobile sales are exposed to risks related to economic cycle. Any downturn in economic activity, particularly, in the region in which the company operates, would impact the operating performance of the company. 
Liquidity Adequate

PVSL has adequate liquidity profile marked by sufficient cash accruals. Bank limits are moderately utilised, with average month end utilisation of about 60 per cent for the 12 month period ended July 2020. Further company is expected to generate moderate cash accruals of around Rs. 15-20 crores per annum over the medium term against Rs.10 crores repayment obligation.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes that PVSL will continue to benefit over the medium term from its established market position.

Rating Sensitivity factors
Upward factor
* Sustained improvement in scale of operation and sustenance of EBITDA margin
* Improvement in financial risk profile
 
Downward factor
* Decline in scale of operations or EBITDA margin
* Substantial increase in exposure to group companies
About the Company

Incorporated in 1983 and based in Kerala, PVSL is the one of the largest authorised dealer for MSIL's vehicles in India. The company has eight dealerships in Kerala and is a part of the popular group, headed by Mr. Francis K Paul and Mr. John K Paul.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2020* 2019
Revenue Rs crore 1,839 2,253
Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 13.45 13.42
PAT margin % 0.73 0.60
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 2.12 2.38
Interest coverage Times 3.13 2.47
*Provisional

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL Ratings' complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL Ratings' complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL Ratings' 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)
Complexity level Rating Assigned with Outlook
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 10 NA CRISIL BBB/Stable
NA Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 10 NA CRISIL A3+
NA Inventory Funding Facility NA NA NA 264.5 NA CRISIL BBB/Stable
NA Long Term Loan NA NA April-2024 40 NA CRISIL BBB/Stable
NA Working Capital Demand Loan NA NA NA 10 NA CRISIL BBB/Stable
NA Short Term Bank Facility NA NA NA 24.75 NA CRISIL A3+
NA Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 0.75 NA CRISIL BBB/Stable
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  350.00  CRISIL BBB/Stable/ CRISIL A3+  29-09-20  CRISIL BBB/Stable  12-06-19  CRISIL BBB/Stable  29-06-18  CRISIL BBB/Stable  24-03-17  CRISIL BBB/Stable  Suspended 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  10.00  CRISIL A3+    --    --    --    --  Suspended 
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
 
Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Name of Lender Rating
Bank Guarantee 10 The Federal Bank Limited CRISIL A3+
Cash Credit 10 The Federal Bank Limited CRISIL BBB/Stable
Inventory Funding Facility 60 Axis Bank Limited CRISIL BBB/Stable
Inventory Funding Facility 7 HDFC Bank Limited CRISIL BBB/Stable
Inventory Funding Facility 75 ICICI Bank Limited CRISIL BBB/Stable
Inventory Funding Facility 22.5 IndusInd Bank Limited CRISIL BBB/Stable
Inventory Funding Facility 60 State Bank of India CRISIL BBB/Stable
Inventory Funding Facility 20 The Federal Bank Limited CRISIL BBB/Stable
Inventory Funding Facility 20 YES Bank Limited CRISIL BBB/Stable
Long Term Loan 34.5 The Federal Bank Limited CRISIL BBB/Stable
Long Term Loan 5.5 The Federal Bank Limited CRISIL BBB/Stable
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 0.75 Not Applicable CRISIL BBB/Stable
Short Term Bank Facility 3 Cholamandalam Financial Holdings Limited CRISIL A3+
Short Term Bank Facility 7.75 IndusInd Bank Limited CRISIL A3+
Short Term Bank Facility 4.75 Mahindra and Mahindra Financial Services Limited CRISIL A3+
Short Term Bank Facility 2.75 Poonawalla Fincorp Limited CRISIL A3+
Short Term Bank Facility 6.5 Sundaram Finance Limited CRISIL A3+
Working Capital Demand Loan 10 The Federal Bank Limited CRISIL BBB/Stable

This Annexure has been updated on 29-Dec-2021 in line with the lender-wise facility details as on 14-Dec-2021 received from the rated entity.

Criteria Details
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
Criteria for rating trading companies
CRISILs Approach to Recognising Default
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

Media Relations
Analytical Contacts
Customer Service Helpdesk

Pankaj Rawat
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
B: +91 22 3342 3000
pankaj.rawat@crisil.com

 


Naireen Ahmed
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 1818
B: +91 22 3342 3000
naireen.ahmed@crisil.com


Mohit Makhija
Director
CRISIL Ratings Limited
D:+91 124 672 2000
mohit.makhija@crisil.com


Sajesh KV
Senior Rating Analyst
CRISIL Ratings Limited
D:+91 44 4226 3634
Sajesh.KV@crisil.com


Timings: 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
Toll free Number:1800 267 1301

For a copy of Rationales / Rating Reports:
CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com
 
For Analytical queries:
ratingsinvestordesk@crisil.com


 

Note for Media:
This rating rationale is transmitted to you for the sole purpose of dissemination through your newspaper / magazine / agency. The rating rationale may be used by you in full or in part without changing the meaning or context thereof but with due credit to CRISIL Ratings. However, CRISIL Ratings alone has the sole right of distribution (whether directly or indirectly) of its rationales for consideration or otherwise through any media including websites, portals etc.


About CRISIL Ratings Limited (A subsidiary of CRISIL Limited)

CRISIL Ratings pioneered the concept of credit rating in India in 1987. With a tradition of independence, analytical rigour and innovation, we set the standards in the credit rating business. We rate the entire range of debt instruments, such as, bank loans, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, non-convertible / convertible / partially convertible bonds and debentures, perpetual bonds, bank hybrid capital instruments, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, partial guarantees and other structured debt instruments. We have rated over 33,000 large and mid-scale corporates and financial institutions. We have also instituted several innovations in India in the rating business, including rating municipal bonds, partially guaranteed instruments and infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs).
 
CRISIL Ratings Limited ("CRISIL Ratings") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CRISIL Limited ("CRISIL"). CRISIL Ratings Limited is registered in India as a credit rating agency with the Securities and Exchange Board of India ("SEBI").
 
For more information, visit www.crisilratings.com 




About CRISIL Limited

CRISIL is a global analytical company providing ratings, research, and risk and policy advisory services. We are India's leading ratings agency. We are also the foremost provider of high-end research to the world's largest banks and leading corporations.

CRISIL is majority owned by S&P Global Inc., a leading provider of transparent and independent ratings, benchmarks, analytics and data to the capital and commodity markets worldwide


For more information, visit www.crisil.com

Connect with us: TWITTER | LINKEDIN | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK


CRISIL PRIVACY NOTICE
 
CRISIL respects your privacy. We may use your contact information, such as your name, address, and email id to fulfil your request and service your account and to provide you with additional information from CRISIL.For further information on CRISIL’s privacy policy please visit www.crisil.com.


DISCLAIMER

This disclaimer forms part of and applies to each credit rating report and/or credit rating rationale (each a "Report") that is provided by CRISIL Ratings Limited  (hereinafter referred to as "CRISIL Ratings") . For the avoidance of doubt, the term "Report" includes the information, ratings and other content forming part of the Report. The Report is intended for the jurisdiction of India only. This Report does not constitute an offer of services. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing in the Report is to be construed as CRISIL Ratings providing or intending to provide any services in jurisdictions where CRISIL Ratings does not have the necessary licenses and/or registration to carry out its business activities referred to above. Access or use of this Report does not create a client relationship between CRISIL Ratings and the user.

We are not aware that any user intends to rely on the Report or of the manner in which a user intends to use the Report. In preparing our Report we have not taken into consideration the objectives or particular needs of any particular user. It is made abundantly clear that the Report is not intended to and does not constitute an investment advice. The Report is not an offer to sell or an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment in any securities, instruments, facilities or solicitation of any kind or otherwise enter into any deal or transaction with the entity to which the Report pertains. The Report should not be the sole or primary basis for any investment decision within the meaning of any law or regulation (including the laws and regulations applicable in the US).

Ratings from CRISIL Ratings are statements of opinion as of the date they are expressed and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell any securities / instruments or to make any investment decisions. Any opinions expressed here are in good faith, are subject to change without notice, and are only current as of the stated date of their issue. CRISIL Ratings assumes no obligation to update its opinions following publication in any form or format although CRISIL Ratings may disseminate its opinions and analysis. Rating by CRISIL Ratings contained in the Report is not a substitute for the skill, judgment and experience of the user, its management, employees, advisors and/or clients when making investment or other business decisions. The recipients of the Report should rely on their own judgment and take their own professional advice before acting on the Report in any way. CRISIL Ratings or its associates may have other commercial transactions with the company/entity.

Neither CRISIL Ratings nor its affiliates, third party providers, as well as their directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents (collectively, "CRISIL Ratings Parties") guarantee the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the Report, and no CRISIL Ratings Party shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein, regardless of the cause, or for the results obtained from the use of any part of the Report. EACH CRISIL RATINGS' PARTY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE. In no event shall any CRISIL Ratings Party be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, incidental, exemplary, compensatory, punitive, special or consequential damages, costs, expenses, legal fees, or losses (including, without limitation, lost income or lost profits and opportunity costs) in connection with any use of any part of the Report even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

CRISIL Ratings may receive compensation for its ratings and certain credit-related analyses, normally from issuers or underwriters of the instruments, facilities, securities or from obligors. CRISIL Rating's public ratings and analysis as are required to be disclosed under the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (and other applicable regulations, if any) are made available on its web site, www.crisilratings.com (free of charge). Reports with more detail and additional information may be available for subscription at a fee - more details about ratings by CRISIL Ratings are available here: www.crisilratings.com.

CRISIL Ratings and its affiliates do not act as a fiduciary. While CRISIL Ratings has obtained information from sources it believes to be reliable, CRISIL Ratings does not perform an audit and undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives and / or relies in its Reports. CRISIL Ratings has established policies and procedures to maintain the confidentiality of certain non-public information received in connection with each analytical process. CRISIL Ratings has in place a ratings code of conduct and policies for analytical firewalls and for managing conflict of interest. For details please refer to: http://www.crisil.com/ratings/highlightedpolicy.html

Rating criteria by CRISIL Ratings are generally available without charge to the public on the CRISIL Ratings public web site, www.crisil.com. For latest rating information on any instrument of any company rated by CRISIL Ratings you may contact CRISIL RATING DESK at CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com, or at (0091) 1800 267 1301.

This Report should not be reproduced or redistributed to any other person or in any form without a prior written consent of CRISIL Ratings.

All rights reserved @ CRISIL Ratings Limited. CRISIL Ratings Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of CRISIL Limited.

CRISIL Ratings uses the prefix ‘PP-MLD’ for the ratings of principal-protected market-linked debentures (PPMLD) with effect from November 1, 2011 to comply with the SEBI circular, "Guidelines for Issue and Listing of Structured Products/Market Linked Debentures". The revision in rating symbols for PPMLDs should not be construed as a change in the rating of the subject instrument. For details on CRISIL Ratiings' use of 'PP-MLD' please refer to the notes to Rating scale for Debt Instruments and Structured Finance Instruments at the following link: www.crisil.com/ratings/credit-rating-scale.html