FORCEMOT - Force Motors
Financial Performance
Revenue Growth by Segment
Total revenue grew 15% YoY to INR 8,092 Cr in FY25, driven by a 15.4% increase in the automotive segment (INR 8,071 Cr) and steady growth in the automotive component business. While vehicle sales volume slightly declined by 2.8% to 32,068 units, revenue increased due to a better product mix and higher realizations in the LCV and SCV segments.
Geographic Revenue Split
The domestic market remains the primary revenue driver, contributing the vast majority of the INR 8,006 Cr sales turnover. Export markets provide secondary revenue diversity, though specific percentage splits by country are not disclosed in the available documents.
Profitability Margins
Operating Profit Margin improved to 14.35% in FY25 from 13.67% in FY24. Net Profit Margin increased to 6.84% from 5.80% YoY. This expansion was driven by operating leverage gains and an improved product mix favoring higher-margin niche vehicles.
EBITDA Margin
EBITDA (Profit before Depreciation, Exceptional Items, and Tax) stood at INR 1,122.91 Cr in FY25, representing a 26.8% increase from INR 885.18 Cr in FY24. The margin improved by approximately 68 basis points due to better absorption of fixed costs.
Capital Expenditure
The company has planned a sizeable capital expenditure of approximately INR 2,000 Cr between FY25 and FY27, averaging INR 400-500 Cr annually. This capex is intended to buttress manufacturing capabilities and product development.
Credit Rating & Borrowing
CRISIL upgraded the long-term rating to 'AA+/Stable' from 'AA/Positive' and reaffirmed 'A1+' for short-term facilities. Borrowing costs have significantly decreased as the company became debt-free in May 2025, with interest coverage improving from 15x to 44x YoY.
Operational Drivers
Raw Materials
Key raw materials include steel, tyres, and various automotive components, which collectively constitute more than 50% of total revenue. Specific sub-percentages for each material are not disclosed.
Import Sources
Not specifically disclosed in the provided documents, though the company notes sensitivity to international commodity price movements.
Capacity Expansion
Current capacity is not explicitly stated in units; however, the company is investing INR 2,000 Cr through FY27 to expand its footprint in niche LCV and SCV segments and automotive component manufacturing.
Raw Material Costs
Raw material costs represent over 50% of revenue. These costs are highly cyclical and influenced by global demand-supply for steel and rubber, directly impacting the operating margin which the company aims to sustain between 13-15%.
Manufacturing Efficiency
Efficiency is reflected in the improvement of the Debtors Turnover Ratio from 46.08 to 57.52 (a 25% improvement), indicating better collection efforts and credit management.
Logistics & Distribution
Not disclosed as a specific percentage of revenue.
Strategic Growth
Expected Growth Rate
15-18%
Growth Strategy
Growth will be achieved through a three-pronged strategy: 1) Sustaining leadership in niche LCV segments; 2) Expanding the automotive component business which serves global OEMs; and 3) Executing a INR 2,000 Cr capex plan to modernize facilities and launch new product variants in the SCV and LCV categories.
Products & Services
Small Commercial Vehicles (SCVs), Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs), multi-utility vehicles, and automotive components (engines, transmissions, and axles).
Brand Portfolio
Force Motors, Traveller, Trax, Gurkha, and Force MTU Power Systems (JV).
New Products/Services
The company is focusing on new variants within its niche LCV segments and expanding its joint venture with Rolls Royce Solutions (Force MTU Power Systems) for power generation solutions.
Market Expansion
Targeting increased market share in the domestic SCV and LCV segments and leveraging the JV with Rolls Royce for global component supply chains.
Market Share & Ranking
Holds a leadership position in niche LCV product segments in India.
Strategic Alliances
Joint venture with Rolls Royce Solutions GmbH (51% stake in Force MTU Power Systems) and a strong parent-subsidiary relationship with Jaya Hind Industries Private Limited (57.38% stake).
External Factors
Industry Trends
The industry is shifting toward higher-efficiency LCVs and sustainable manufacturing. Force Motors is positioning itself by maintaining a debt-free balance sheet to fund technology shifts and complying with evolving ESG expectations from capital markets.
Competitive Landscape
Competes with major Indian commercial vehicle manufacturers, but maintains a niche in the ambulance, school bus, and specialized passenger carrier segments.
Competitive Moat
The moat is built on cost leadership in niche LCV segments and long-standing technical JVs. This is sustainable due to high entry barriers in specialized vehicle segments and the strong financial backing of the Abhay Firodia group.
Macro Economic Sensitivity
Highly sensitive to GDP growth and inflation; raw material costs (steel/tyres) fluctuate with global commodity cycles, impacting margins by 200-300 basis points during peak volatility.
Consumer Behavior
Increasing demand for specialized, high-comfort passenger carriers and reliable last-mile delivery SCVs is driving the shift toward the company's premium product mix.
Geopolitical Risks
Trade barriers or supply chain disruptions affecting the import of specialized engine components could delay production schedules for the automotive component division.
Regulatory & Governance
Industry Regulations
Operations are subject to stringent automotive safety standards and emission norms. Compliance with Corporate Governance and LODR Regulations is maintained with no penalties from SEBI or Stock Exchanges in the last three years.
Environmental Compliance
The company is currently unable to estimate the financial impact of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) certificates as the pricing mechanism is not yet developed by regulators.
Taxation Policy Impact
The company has opted for the new tax regime under Section 115BAA of the Income Tax Act starting FY26, which involves a lower base tax rate of 22% (plus surcharge/cess) but required a MAT credit write-off of INR 5.59 Cr.
Legal Contingencies
No specific pending court case values in INR were disclosed, though the company maintains a 'Code of Conduct' and 'Vigil Mechanism' to manage legal and ethical risks.
Risk Analysis
Key Uncertainties
Volatility in raw material prices (steel/rubber) poses a risk to the 14.35% operating margin. Regulatory changes in emission norms could necessitate unplanned R&D spend.
Geographic Concentration Risk
High concentration in the Indian domestic market, making revenue sensitive to local economic cycles and infrastructure spending.
Third Party Dependencies
Dependency on the parent company, JHIPL, for financial flexibility and potential support, although the company is currently self-sufficient with INR 3,048 Cr in reserves.
Technology Obsolescence Risk
Risk of disruption from electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the SCV/LCV segments; the company is addressing this through its evolving ESG strategy and R&D.
Credit & Counterparty Risk
Receivables quality is high, evidenced by a 25% improvement in the Debtors Turnover Ratio to 57.52 in FY25.