Rating Rationale
July 14, 2020 | Mumbai
Nissan Renault Financial Services India Private Limited
Rating Reaffirmed 
 
Rating Action
Rs.400 Crore Commercial Paper CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL A1+' rating on the Rs.400 crore commercial paper programme of Nissan Renault Financial Services India Private Limited (NRFSI).

The reaffirmation follows a revision in the rating by S&P Global Ratings [S&P Global] on Nissan Motor Co. Ltd, Japan (NMC), whereby 'Credit watch with negative implications' is resolved with downgrade in ratings, putting the rating on 'Negative' outlook. The ratings for NMC have consequently been revised to 'BBB-/Negative/A-3' from 'BBB/Credit Watch Negative/A-2'. CRISIL's rating on CP programme of NRFSI remains unaffected by the rating action of S&P Global on NMC.

The rating continues to factor in NRFSI's strategic importance to its ultimate parent, NMC 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 majority ownership in NRFSI, the shared brand, and strong operational linkages. The ratings also factor in the adequate liquidity policy and comfortable capitalisation. These strengths are partially constrained by small scale of operations with limited track record of operations.

After the nationwide lockdown, the restrictions are being lifted only in a phased manner and the degree of relaxations vary across regions depending upon the severity of Covid-19 pandemic. Herein, CRISIL believes that eventual lifting of restrictions will continue to be in a phased manner. Any delay in return to normalcy is expected to put pressure on collections and asset quality metrics. Additionally, any change in the behaviour of borrowers on payment discipline can affect delinquency levels.

NRFSI's portfolio consists of vehicle loans, with a majority to salaried customers in retail portfolio along with providing funding to dealers. The wholesale segment could witness challenges amidst the current lockdown, as income streams of borrowers have been affected. During July-October 2020, the company's total debt obligation stands at Rs 497 crore. Against this, the company has cash and cash equivalents of Rs 132 crore and unutilised bank lines of Rs 730 crore (including Rs 150 crore of committed bank lines). The ability of the business to revert to operational stability is a key rating sensitivity factor and CRISIL will closely monitor the same. 

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 ultimately 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, operational 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 903 crore as on March 31, 2020. 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 2.4 times as on March 31, 2020 (2.2 times as on March 31, 2019) and is expected to increase over the medium term as the portfolio grows.

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 Oct 2014. Its loan portfolio stood at around Rs 2879 crore as on March 31, 2020 (around Rs 2749 crore as on March 31, 2019). Around 80% of the portfolio comprised financing of new cars and the remaining was largely dealer financing, personal loans to the group employees and used car loans. NRFSI has maintained its asset quality at adequate levels, with gross non-performing assets (NPAs) inching up to 2.64% as on March 31, 2020 (2.29% as on March 31, 2019) on account of slippages in some dealer accounts. 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. Nevertheless, the impact of Covid-19 related macro-economic challenges and moratorium to its borrowers on collections and its impact on delinquency levels remains to be seen, and CRISIL will closely monitor this.

Liquidity Superior

NRFSI has strong liquidity profile driven by expectation from Nissan Motor Company to provide need-based and on-going support, in case of any exigencies. On standalone basis, as on March 31, 2020, excluding line of credit from other institutions from inflows and contingent liabilities from outflows, there are cumulative negative gap six months to one year bucket. Including the line of credit, the ALM profile has positive cumulative gaps up to one year bucket. As on June 30, 2020, the entity had Rs 497 crore worth of debt to be repaid over next 4 months (July to October 2020) out of which CP repayments were nil. Against this, it had cash and cash equivalents of Rs 132 crore and Rs 730 crore of unutilised bank/financial institution lines out of which Rs 150 crore are committed lines. The committed lines are maintained only to be used in case of exigencies and to provide 100% backstop for commercial papers outstanding. Further, as a policy, CP maturities in a month can be to a maximum of Rs 150 crores.

Rating Sensitivity Factors
Downward factors
* Downward revision in the S&P  Global rating of NMC by 2 notches or higher
* If there is a significant diminution in the stake held by, or the support expected from, NMC.

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 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 48 lakh units worldwide in FY2019 (year ending March 31, 2020). Nissan reported a consolidated net loss of JPY671.2 billion on net sales of JPY9.8 trillion during FY2019 (year ending March 31, 2020).

Key Financial Indicators
As on/for the period/ for the year ended Units March 31, 2020* March 31, 2019
Total assets Rs crore 3125 2796
Total income Rs crore 323 276
Profit after tax Rs crore 44 50
Gross NPA % 2.6 2.29
Gearing Times 2.4 2.2
Return on assets % 1.5 1.9
*Provisional as per unaudited financials

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments and are included (where applicable) in the Annexure -- Details of Instrument in this Rating Rationale. For more details on the CRISIL complexity levels, please visit www.crisil.com/complexity-levels.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
 ISIN Name of instrument Date of allotment Coupon rate (%) Maturity date Issue size (Rs.Crore) Complexity Level Rating outstanding with outlook
NA Commercial paper NA NA 7-365 Days 400 Simple CRISIL A1+
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
Commercial Paper  ST  400.00  CRISIL A1+  12-05-20  CRISIL A1+  30-12-19  CRISIL A1+  28-12-18  CRISIL A1+  28-12-17  CRISIL A1+  -- 
        06-04-20  CRISIL A1+  29-10-19  CRISIL A1+           
            04-09-19  CRISIL A1+           
            28-02-19  CRISIL A1+           
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
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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