Metrics cut 2
- FY27 blended EBITDA margin guidance cut to ~4% (from 5% earlier)
- Service volume growth guidance cut to +6-7% from Q2 onwards (from prior 10-12%)
Event Participants
Executives
4 Abraham Mammen, Aamir Ahmed, Naveen Philip, Raj Narayan
Analysts
5 Gautham Madhavan, Himanshu Bisani, Nilesh Doshi, Raghunandhan N.L., Shirish Pardeshi
Financials & KPIs
| Metric | Reported | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Total Income | ₹1,903.1 crores | +44.6% YoY; includes full quarter contribution from RKS Motor, Globe CV, and Olympus acquisitions |
| Revenue (Like-to-like, ex-Honda/Piaggio) | ₹2,890 crores (consolidated) | +52% YoY growth on like-to-like basis; Honda/Piaggio divested Aug 2025 |
| EBITDA | ₹71.5 crores | +86.6% YoY; margin improved to 3.8% from 2.9% YoY; adjusted EBITDA ₹62 crores (+82% YoY) |
| PBT | ₹1.9 crores reported | vs loss of ₹11 crores in Q1 FY26; adjusted PBT ₹11.2 crores; one-off lease modification gain of ~₹5 crores in other income |
| PAT | ₹1.4 crores | vs loss of ₹8.8 crores in Q1 FY26 |
| New Vehicle Volumes | 17,300 units (PV+CV+EV combined) | +81% reported; PV 10,475 units (+83%), CV 3,495 units (+41%), EV 3,330 units (+153%) |
| Service Volumes | 256,680 units (combined) | +1% reported; impacted by Honda rationalization and low-value job cuts; like-to-like +13% |
| Inventory Days | 32 days | vs ~50 days a year ago; absolute inventory only +14% YoY despite revenue scale-up |
| Geographic Diversification | Kerala 49% of revenue | First time below 50%; TN 22%, Karnataka 12%, Telangana 8%, Maharashtra 5%, Punjab 4%, AP 0.3% |
Geographic & Segment Commentary
Passenger Vehicles (ex-luxury): Reported revenue grew ~54% YoY, new vehicle volumes +83% to 10,475 units. Segment income ₹836 crores (+73%). Service volumes declined 5% due to Honda exit and rationalization of low-value jobs, but service income grew 11% to ₹169 crores on better realizations and higher ASP (+15%). Maruti business organic revenue +49%, volumes +70%; Arena returned to growth driven by GST reform benefits in entry-level segments.
Luxury Vehicles: Reported revenue +42%; new vehicle volumes +39% and service volumes +87% YoY. JLR contributed ~₹10.5 crores EBITDA vs ₹8.2 crores in Q1 FY26; Audi (ICPL) EBITDA neutral currently but expected to improve with upcoming Q3 launch and scale-up. Audi margin drag expected to normalize over next 2 quarters.
Commercial Vehicles: Reported revenue +35% to ₹564 crores, new vehicle volumes +41% to 3,495 units, service volumes +15% to 52,647 units. Organic growth: revenue +21%, volumes +34%. Tipper segment experiencing low/negative growth due to construction slowdown across states; LCV cargo segment holding well.
EV Business: Reported revenue +113% (₹55 crores), new vehicle volumes +153% to 3,330 units, service volumes +60%. Ather continues strong customer acceptance with 5 days of stock (supply-constrained). EBITDA contribution minimal (₹2 crores) but service installed base growing rapidly.
Aftermarket/Spares: Service income growing on higher ASP and value jobs; luxury service +87%, CV service +47% income growth. Spare parts supply remains a constraint with vehicles stuck in workshops. BKT tyre distribution (two-wheeler and passenger car radial segments) commenced in Kerala and Karnataka during FY26 to leverage existing distribution infrastructure.
Company-Specific & Strategic Commentary
Acquisition Integration: FY27 is first full year of contribution from three acquired businesses (RKS Telangana Maruti ₹126 crores Q1 revenue, Globe CV Punjab ₹71 crores, Olympus Audi ₹20 crores). Combined acquisition EBITDA +₹9.4 crores but depreciation (₹12 crores) and finance costs (₹6.8 crores) offset below EBITDA. Globe already break-even at PBT; RKS and Olympus tracking toward PAT profitability by Q3/Q4 per earlier guidance.
Geographic Diversification: Kerala revenue contribution dropped below 50% for first time (49%); stated objective to sustain this diversified mix with Telangana (8%), Tamil Nadu (22%), Karnataka (12%), and Maharashtra (5%) now material contributors.
Network Expansion: New Maruti Suzuki service center at Koyilandy (Kerala), two Tata CV outlets at Perumbavoor, and JLR sales and service facility at Nagpur during Q1. Continued multi-OEM, multi-state platform strategy.
Competitive Positioning: Company claims #2 position nationally in Maruti, #3 in Tata, #2 in BharatBenz, and #2 in Ather; positions as #1 dealership entity in India by revenue. Top-tier status expected to yield year-end OEM incentives and negotiation leverage on lubricant/paint procurement (long-term contracts under discussion).
Working Capital Discipline: Inventory days at 32 vs ~50 last year despite revenue more than doubling; absolute inventory only +14% YoY. Sequentially built inventory ahead of festive season and OEM new model launches.
Leadership Transition: CEO Raj Narayan departing at end of August; successor search underway; smooth transition assured.
Guidance & Outlook
| Metric | Guidance / Outlook | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue FY27 | ~₹8,200-8,300 crores | From ₹6,400 crores in FY26; ~20-25% growth driven by full-year acquisition contribution and organic momentum |
| Blended EBITDA Margin | ~4.0% FY27 | Revised from earlier 5% guidance due to favorable CV mix shift (CV ticket ~₹16-17 lakhs, margins lower as % of revenue); expects 4.3-4.4% run-rate by year-end if mix remains |
| Service Volume Growth | +6-7% from Q2 onwards | Q1 impacted by Honda exit and low-value job rationalization; July service numbers strong; PV service volume (ex-Honda) +8% YoY, Maruti service expected double-digit growth from Q2 |
| Acquired Business PAT Profitability | Q2-Q4 FY27 | Globe already break-even; RKS expected PAT positive by Q3; Olympus by Q4; service throughput recovery is key driver |
| PV Segment EBITDA Margin | ~4% current, inching up | Maruti ~15.5-16% service EBITDA margins; JLR 17-18%; Audi coming in line with new Q3 launch |
Risks & Constraints
| Risk | Context |
|---|---|
| Construction Sector Slowdown | Tipper/construction CV demand weak across all operating states due to environmental and construction activity slowdowns; partially offset by strong LCV cargo segment growth |
| Spare Parts Supply Constraints | Vehicles stuck in workshops longer due to spare parts shortages across OEMs; potential to suppress service throughput and customer satisfaction |
| Supply Constraints on Growth Segments | Ather inventory at ~5 days stock (demand exceeding supply); JLR supply constrained; Audi awaiting Q3 launch at end of August; could limit festive-season sales upside |
| Interest/Depreciation Drag | Acquisition-related depreciation ( |
| Mix Impact on Margins | Faster CV growth (ticket ₹16-17 lakhs) dilutes blended EBITDA margin percentage despite higher absolute EBITDA; 5% EBITDA margin guidance revised down to ~4% |
Q&A Highlights
Demand Outlook & Festive Season
- Question: How is demand trending and what is the outlook for H2 FY27 across PV, CV, EV segments? (Raghunandhan N.L., Nuvama Research)
- Answer: Inquiries growing
20% YoY, bookings +22% YoY; Kerala entering auspicious Chingam month from Aug 17, purchases expected to accelerate. H2 growth should remain positive but moderate (80-90% growth run-rate may temper due to heavy base post-GST reforms). Supply constraints on Ather (5 days stock) and JLR. Spare parts supply remains a bottleneck with vehicles stuck in workshops. (Raj Narayan, Naveen Philip)
EBITDA Margin Trajectory & Mix Impact
- Question: How should we think of EBITDA margin progression toward 4-5% given acquisitions and mix changes? (Raghunandhan N.L., Nuvama Research)
- Answer: Hitting 5% will take longer given increased CV contribution (ticket ~₹17 lakhs, lower percentage margins); absolute EBITDA will keep growing strongly. Guidance revised to ~4.3-4.4% FY27 blended margin; expected to reach 4% blended with PV business growth and Telangana/Karnataka/Chennai scale-up. (Naveen Philip)
Acquisition Profitability Timeline
- Question: Over what period will acquired businesses reach profitability parity with existing businesses? (Raghunandhan N.L., Nuvama Research)
- Answer: All three acquisitions EBITDA positive (combined ₹9.4 crores). Globe break-even at PBT level. RKS negative ₹5.3 crores at PBT; Olympus negative ₹4 crores. RKS expected profitable at PAT by Q3, Olympus by Q4. Telangana service volumes lagging—the key reason for negative P&L—but expected on track by Q4. (Abraham Mammen)
Adjusted PBT Bridge and Segment Profitability
- Question: What exactly are the adjustments in adjusted PBT and what are the drag components? (Gautham Madhavan, FedEx Express)
- Answer: Acquisition EBITDA positive ₹9.4 crores (Globe ₹2.1, RKS ₹7.4, Olympus neutral). Depreciation ₹12 crores and finance costs ₹6.8 crores offset this, creating the swing between adjusted PBT (₹11.2 crores) and reported PBT (₹1.9 crores). JLR EBITDA improved to ₹10.5 crores from ₹8.2 crores; Audi at zero EBITDA. PV margin was dragged by Honda divestment (₹4.2 crores Q1 last year contribution). (Abraham Mammen, Naveen Philip)
Service Volume Growth Path
- Question: Previous 10-12% service volume growth guidance vs -5% in Q1; what to expect for rest of year? (Himanshu Bisani, PinpointX Capital)
- Answer: Q1 decline reflects Honda exit (~24,000 units) and rationalization of low-value jobs. PV service volume ex-Honda grew 8%; ASP +15%. Q2 onwards expect 6-7% volume growth and continued ASP expansion. Maruti service back to double-digit growth from Q2. Post-GST sales customers entering paid service cycle from October onwards will drive H2 service volumes. (Naveen Philip, Raj Narayan)
Entry-Level Recovery and Arena Performance
- Question: Is the preference shifting toward mini entry cars vs EV, and how is consumer behavior evolving? (Shirish Pardeshi, Motilal Oswal)
- Answer: Entry-level segment has recovered strongly—Alto K10, WagonR showing much higher traction. Arena portfolio (entry-level cars) returned to growth after two years of pressure, while Nexa has been consistently growing. First-time buyers proportion higher during festive period. Price increases have been modest (₹5,000-7,000 on most models) with negligible impact on demand. (Raj Narayan)
New Vehicle Sales Profitability and Finance Cost Split
- Question: Is the new vehicle sales business generating positive contribution considering interest costs are mostly related to it? (Nilesh Doshi, Prospero Tree AMC)
- Answer: Segment-wise, after interest (0.85% of sales), Maruti is at ~0.85% net profitability; JLR ~5% EBITDA with positive after interest; Tata/BharatBenz CV at 3%+ EBITDA with interest cost <1%; EV segment ~4.2% EBITDA with minimal interest. All sales businesses are positive. Finance cost split between lease vs interest to be shared via email. (Abraham Mammen, Naveen Philip)
Revised EBITDA Margin Guidance
- Question: Earlier guidance of 5% EBITDA margin from Q2—are we confident of achieving that? (Vaibhav Bhayani, Individual Investor)
- Answer: Will not reach 5% this year given CV revenue mix higher than planned (₹673 crores vs expected mix where PV was to be 63-64% of revenue). Revised expectation: closer to 4.3-4.4% by year-end; Q2-Q4 each quarter at least 4% EBITDA margin. If PV growth accelerates, blended margin could approach 4.5%. (Naveen Philip)
Running Repairs Recovery
- Question: How is running repairs market share/performance after earlier loss of volumes? What's driving service volume recovery? (Rohan Dedhia, Individual Investor)
- Answer: Running repairs returned to +8.8% growth in July; focused corrections implemented—higher-ticket items prioritized earlier, now volume campaigns launched. Free services already growing; post-GST customers from Sept 2025 onward will enter paid service cycle from October, driving H2 service volume acceleration. (Raj Narayan, Naveen Philip)
EV After-Sales Potential and Positioning
- Question: What after-sales opportunities exist for EVs (two-wheeler and four-wheeler) and are we increasing EV penetration? (Himanshu Bisani, PinpointX Capital)
- Answer: EV segment limited to Ather (two-wheeler) and Maruti e-Vitara (50-60 units/quarter). Ather service volumes growing
60% but ASP and EBITDA contribution low (₹2 crores on ₹71.5 crores total). Four-wheeler EV penetration still muted across segments; Jaguar EV launch at year-end will be insignificant to overall numbers near-term. (Naveen Philip)
Our Key Takeaway
Popular Vehicles & Services delivered a strong Q1 FY27 with consolidated revenue up 44.6% YoY to ₹1,903.1 crores and EBITDA up 86.6% to ₹71.5 crores (3.8% margin, +90 bps YoY), driven by both acquisitions (RKS, Globe CV, Olympus contributing ₹217 crores combined) and robust organic growth of 33% YoY. Reported PBT turned positive at ₹1.9 crores vs a ₹11 crore loss last year, supported by a ₹5 crore one-off lease gain. Geographic diversification achieved with Kerala revenue dropping below 50% for the first time. Management revised FY27 revenue guidance to ₹8,200-8,300 crores and blended EBITDA margin to ~4% (down from earlier 5% guidance due to favorable CV mix shift), with acquired businesses expected to reach PAT profitability progressively. Festive season demand looks supportive with ~20% YoY inquiry growth and strong entry-level PV recovery post-GST reforms. Key watch points: service throughput recovery in acquired Telangana operations, spare parts supply constraints, tipper segment weakness, and CEO succession execution. EBITDA margin guidance of 4.3-4.4% by year-end is credible given Maruti and JLR service margin strength.