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MOSL: AUTOMOBILES-BS6 conundrum-OEMs need to do a balancing act; MSIL/EIM least impacted

Automobiles: BS6 conundrum: OEMs need to do a balancing act; MSIL/EIM least impacted, can potentially benefit from product actions

 

Indian automakers are all set to transition to Bharat Stage (BS) 6 norms next year. With these norms being based on Euro 6 standards, India will become the first country in the world to leapfrog from Euro 4 to Euro 6 (skipping Euro 5) norms. Although BS6 will bring in much stricter control on emission and reduce pollution, it will also exert pressure on automakers to deal with increased investment toward compliance and technology, particularly in a weak demand environment. While this has the potential to create disruption in the industry, it will also present an opportunity for well-prepared OEMs to gain competitive/first-mover advantage. Unlike in the past, this transition is unique in many ways, and thus, would necessitate OEMs to do a balancing act.

 

• BS6 is likely to turn out to be the most expensive progression in India, resulting in cost inflation of up to 15% (least for PV petrol at up to 4%). This is on top of the most inflationary 12 months for auto customers over the last decade.
• The upcoming BS6 transition is unique in many ways, making it even more difficult for OEMs (to strategize) and investors to draw any inference from the past. Moreover, this is for the first time that (a) cost inflation is very high and (b) the implementation is happening simultaneously across auto segments (unlike staggered in the past).
• Hence, OEMs will need to do a balancing act to minimize (a) risk of market share loss (if transited too early), (b) risk of loss on inventory (if transited too late) and (c) margin impact (due to discounts to clear inventory).
• OEMs are indicating benefit of pre-buy to reflect in wholesales in 2Q/3QFY20, while retails pre-buy would reflect in 3Q/4QFY20.
• Hence, unlike in the past, the industry is likely to witness moderate peaks/troughs in pre and post transition. This is contrary to what is expected based on pre-buy history.
• We expect cycles within cycles and volatility in volumes until 1HFY21 – volumes recovery in 2HCY19, weak 1HCY20 and normalcy to return only in 2HCY21.
• We expect PVs to be least impacted during the BS6 transition due to the limited cost increase for petrol PVs (~70% of industry volumes) and the scope in alternative fuels.
• On the other hand, 2Ws/CVs would be most impacted by very high cost inflation. The impact on CVs will be determined by economic viability and freight availability. 2Ws could see substantial pre-buy and consequent weakness.