Rating Rationale
December 29, 2017 | Mumbai
Tata Motors Limited
Rated amount enhanced
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.14000 Crore (Reduced from Rs.18506 Crore)
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA/Positive (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
 
Rs.500 Crore Short Term Debt CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
Rs.4500 Crore Commercial Paper (Enhanced from Rs.2500 Crore)^ CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
^earlier Short Term Debt
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has withdrawn its rating on Tata Motors Ltd's (TML's) Bank Guarantee aggregating Rs 4506 crore at the company's request and on receipt of no dues certificates from the banker. This is in compliance with CRISIL's withdrawal policy. CRISIL has also reaffirmed its ratings on the company's other debt programmes and bank facilities at 'CRISIL AA/Positive/CRISIL A1+'.
 
The ratings continue to reflect TML's strong business risk profile, driven by improvement in Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC's (JLR's) product portfolio with new model launches driving healthy volume growth and higher product diversity with better penetration across various price points. TML also benefits from a strong consolidated financial profile marked by a healthy capital structure, large cash surplus and superior financial flexibilities.
 
However, CRISIL takes note of JLR's subdued operating profitability, which stood at 12.6% for fiscal 2017 against our earlier expectation of 13-14%. JLR's profitability is expected to remain weak in the first half of the current fiscal, driven by weaker product mix, substantial outflows on currency hedging positions and high marketing expenses. Nevertheless, JLR's profitability is expected to improve in the second half of fiscal 2018, driven by improvement in product mix as the recently launched RR Velar ramps up, and volume growth driven by new model launches in the fourth quarter. CRISIL expects the company's profitability to improve further in fiscal 2019 to 14-15%, aided by lower outflows on currency hedges, and higher contribution from its joint venture Chery Jaguar Landrover (CJLR).
 
TML's rating strengths continue to be offset by JLR's large capital expenditure (capex) requirements and modest performance in its domestic business.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at its ratings, CRISIL has combined the business risk profiles of TML and its subsidiaries, including JLR and its joint venture Chery Jaguar Landrover Automotive Company Limited (CJLR) in proportion of its holding. CRISIL has made adjustments for the assets and liabilities of TML's financing business, conducted by captive finance subsidiary Tata Motors Finance Ltd (TMFL; 'CRISIL AA/CRISIL A+/Positive/CRISIL A1+').

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Robust product portfolio and strong brand in the global luxury automotive segment
Jaguar (founded in 1922) and Land Rover (1948) are iconic brands with a rich heritage in the premium luxury segment. Jaguar makes premium cars and Land Rover manufactures premium sports utility vehicles (SUVs). JLR's strong product development capability has enabled successful product launches and expansion into new segments, thus enhancing its product portfolio. The company reported healthy growth of 14% in sales volumes in the past five fiscals. CRISIL believes that JLR will continue to report healthy volume growth, driven by frequent refreshes and new product launches in Jaguar and Land Rover, and growth across multiple geographies, especially China and emerging markets. Key models to drive growth in the near term are Jaguar E-Pace and Range Rover Velar.
 
* Strong financial risk profile
The strong financial risk profile is reflected in healthy capital structure with adjusted gearing of 0.6 times as on March 31, 2017, robust liquidity with back-ended repayment and cash and cash equivalent of over Rs 50,000 crore providing cushion. Debt protection indicators are expected to remain healthy going ahead, with interest cover at about 10 times. The financial risk profile is supported by high financial flexibility as a part of the Tata group and demonstrated ability to deleverage inorganically. Working capital requirement has been negative over the years primarily because of high trade payables. While CRISIL expects this to continue over the medium term, any large variation will be a key monitorable.
 
Weakness
* Large capex requirement in JLR
The luxury car segment entails large capital investment and successive product launches. JLR is also scaling up capex to enhance its product portfolio (including technology), improve its engine manufacturing capability, and to expand manufacturing footprint.
 
The global auto industry is rapidly evolving with higher regulatory focus on electric vehicles and stringent emission norms, and consumer preference shifting towards new technologies such as connected cars and autonomous driving. The changing landscape entails higher business risk, and necessitates investment in these technologies for automotive players globally, including JLR. The company plans to offer all new Jaguar Land Rover vehicles with an electrified/electric powertrain from 2020, and will introduce a number of autonomous driving features over the next few years.
 
JLR has limited flexibility to defer its capex without impacting its planned launches or investments in technology, which is critical for its market position. The large capex may constrain free operating cash flow (FOCF), and any significant decline in FOCF will be a key rating sensitivity factor. Nevertheless, post completion of the company's ongoing capacity expansion by end of fiscal 2019, JLR's capex intensity in terms of Capex/EBITDA is expected to taper to less than 80% by fiscal 2020 from levels of more than 110% in expected for fiscal 2018.

* JLR's profitability constrained by currency hedge outflow and change in product mix
JLR's operating profitability declined from 14.3% in fiscal 2016 to about 12.6% in fiscal 2017, and is expected to remain subdued in first half of the current fiscal, mainly due to change in product mix, high outflows on currency hedging positions, launch-related costs, and higher discounts due to a challenging business environment, especially in North America. Nevertheless, profitability is expected to improve in the medium term, driven by lower outflows on currency hedges with the British pound stabilising against the US dollar in the current fiscal, higher sales volumes of CJLR which entails higher margins, and positive impact of launches in fiscal 2018 on both volumes and product mix.  
 
* Weak performance of TML Standalone
The company has lost significant market share in its standalone Commercial vehicle (CV) segment from 58% in 2011-12 to 43% in 2016-17, largely driven by delays in addressing product gaps, and issues related to products and distribution channels. In its Passenger Vehicle (PV) segment, although success of recent launches such as Tata Tiago has boosted volumes, the company remains a relatively small player. Nevertheless, CRISIL has taken note of the company's plan to achieve a turnaround in both its CV and PV segments, primarily by improvement of product portfolio via new model launches, organization level changes, better dealer engagement, improved service levels and cost control. These initiatives are expected to result in improvement at the domestic business's operating profitability, which was lower than 4% in fiscal 2017.
Outlook: Positive

CRISIL believes TML's profitability will improve in the medium term from the current subdued levels, while business risk profile will improve, driven by the enhancement in product portfolio at JLR.
 
Upside Scenario
* Healthy and diversified growth in JLR volumes along with significant improvement in profitability, improves TML's overall business profile
* Sustained strong financial profile marked by robust financial leverage
 
Downside Scenario
* JLRs operating performance weakens further mainly on account lower than expected success of new launches or slower growth in multiple regions
* JLR undertakes significant debt-funded capex, leading to moderation in its financial risk profile.

About the Company

TML is India's largest wholly integrated automotive company, manufacturing passenger cars, multi-utility vehicles, and CVs. Its business risk profile changed significantly following the USD 2.3-billion acquisition of JLR in June 2008. Before the acquisition, Indian operations accounted for 81% of TML's revenue. In fiscal 2017, JLR accounted for 84% and 94% of TML's revenue and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA), respectively.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2017 2016
Revenue Rs. Cr. 277,192 269,440
Profit After Tax Rs. Cr. 7,557 11,678
PAT Margins % 2.7% 4.3%
Interest coverage Times 10.6 8.6
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Networth Times 0.6 0.4
Gross Debt Rs. Cr. 78,604 69,360
Cash & Cash Equivalents Rs. Cr. 51,119 49,693

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 Assigned 
with Outlook
NA Short-Term Debt NA NA 7-365 days 500 CRISIL A1+
NA Commercial Paper^ NA NA 7-365 days 4500 CRISIL A1+
NA Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 4506 Withdrawal
NA Fund-Based Facilities NA NA NA 8000 CRISIL AA/Positive
NA Non-Fund Based Limit NA NA NA 6000 CRISIL A1+
^earlier Short Term Debt
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  4500  CRISIL A1+    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  CRISIL A1+ 
Non Convertible Debentures  LT    --    --    --  14-09-15  Withdrawal    No Rating Change  CRISIL AAA(SO)/Stable 
Short Term Debt  ST  500  CRISIL A1+    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  CRISIL A1+ 
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  8000  CRISIL AA/Positive    No Rating Change  03-10-16  CRISIL AA/Positive    No Rating Change  10-01-14  CRISIL AA/Stable  CRISIL AA-/Positive 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  6000  CRISIL A1+    No Rating Change  03-10-16  CRISIL AA/Positive/ CRISIL A1+    No Rating Change  10-01-14  CRISIL AA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  CRISIL AA-/Positive/ 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
Bank Guarantee 4506 Withdrawal Bank Guarantee 4506 CRISIL AA/Positive
Fund-Based Facilities 8000 CRISIL AA/Positive Fund-Based Facilities 8000 CRISIL AA/Positive
Non-Fund Based Limit 6000 CRISIL A1+ Non-Fund Based Limit 6000 CRISIL A1+
Total 18506 -- Total 18506 --
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
Rating Criteria for Commercial Vehicle Industry
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings

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