# 1. Financial Performance ## A. Key Figures * Revenue Growth: 8.5% consolidated Q2 FY'26 (+16.6% ex-wheel assembly) · 6.1% H1 FY'26 consolidated (+14% ex-wheel assembly) * EBITDA & PAT: 19.5% YoY EBITDA growth · 18.6% YoY PAT growth in Q2 FY'26 (record high) · 19.4% EBITDA growth · 17.5% PAT growth in H1 FY'26 * EBITDA Margin: 13.6% H1 FY'26 (+151 bps) · 13.4% Q2 FY'26 (+124 bps YoY) * EPS: ₹4.05 in Q2 FY'26 · ₹7.4 in H1 FY'26 ## B. Revenue Growth * **Strategic Portfolio Shift:** Revenue growth reflects deliberate **6% reduction in low-margin wheel assembly**, with underlying business delivering strong double-digit growth. * **Volume & Execution:** Eighth consecutive quarter of post-listing growth, driven by improved capacity utilization and market share gains in core segments. ## C. EBITDA & PAT * **Margin Expansion Drivers:** Record profitability supported by **operational leverage** at Karoli and Bangalore plants, cost efficiencies, and higher volumes. * **Capital Discipline:** Management maintains focus on **industry-leading ROCE** and financial prudence, with asset turnover expected to remain around **75**. ## D. EPS & Margins * **Earnings Acceleration:** EPS growth significantly outpaces revenue, highlighting **strong bottom-line leverage** and margin improvement trajectory. * **Margin Outlook:** EBITDA margin expansion on track, with potential to reach **7%** barring adverse commodity (aluminum alloy) price moves. ## E. Cash Flow Trends * **Working Capital Build:** Decline in H1 operating cash flow attributed to **intentional inventory buildup** ahead of festival demand and GST 0 impact. --- # 2. Segment & Product Performance ## A. Key Figures * **Braking Systems Revenue Growth:** **+10%** Q2 (+7% H1) · **+22%** Aluminum Solutions Q2 (+19% H1) · **+2%** Safety Cables Q2 (+4% H1) ## B. Braking Systems * **Broad-Based Growth:** All three braking segments posted year-on-year revenue gains, with **Advanced Braking** and **Aluminum Solutions** showing strong double-digit momentum. * **Aftermarket Scope:** Aftermarket sales cover only brakes and cables; aluminum lightweighting products are not included in this channel. ## C. Aluminum Light Weighting * **Strategic Expansion:** Aluminum casting for two-wheelers seen as a **sunrise industry** with multi-year growth runway ahead. * **Diversified Demand:** Segment strength driven by broad-based adoption across **ICE, EV, and passenger vehicle platforms**, with expanding product portfolio beyond ECU bodies. * **Content Per Vehicle:** Current aluminum lightweighting content per four-wheeler remains **low**, indicating early-stage penetration and upside potential. ## D. Safety Control Cables * **Modest Growth on Base Shifts:** Cable segment grew 2% in Q2, constrained by **delays in vehicle model approvals** and unfavorable model mix dynamics. ## E. EV & ICE Content * **Higher Value in Electrification:** EV platforms carry **40%–50% higher product content** versus ICE vehicles, underscoring strategic value despite slower EV volume ramp. --- # 3. Capacity & Utilization ## A. Key Figures * **Capacity Utilization:** **60%** current group-wide · **75–80%** expected next FY * **Bangalore Plant Utilization:** **60%** achieved in Q2 (post-Jan 14 opening) · **70–75%** targeted by Q4 * Karoli Plant Utilization: 60–70% expected ongoing * **Alloy Wheel Plant Utilization:** **70–75%** already achieved on **₹125 Cr** investment * Solar Projects: 9.9 MWp operational (Sirsa, Apr '25) · 11.55 MW captive plant under development (Rajasthan, est. Q1 FY27) * **CAPEX:** **₹600 Cr** deployed over past two years · **₹250 Cr** planned for Karoli, **₹100 Cr** for Bangalore in current year · **₹700 Cr** cumulative est. investment in Karoli ## B. Plant Utilization * **Progress Toward Targets:** Both Bangalore and Karoli plants showing steady ramp-up, with clear trajectory toward **75%+ utilization** by year-end, supporting margin expansion. * **Early-Stage Efficiency:** Despite sub-optimal utilization, **Bangalore and Karoli facilities already match blended company margins**, indicating strong operational execution and cost control. * **Flexible Manufacturing:** Alloy wheel plant operating at **70–75% utilization** with fungible machinery, enabling adaptive production and scalability. ## C. Solar Energy Projects * **Green Energy Momentum:** **9 MWp solar plant now live** in Sirsa, delivering immediate cost savings; **55 MW captive project in Rajasthan** on track for Q1 FY27, reinforcing long-term ESG and cost leadership. ## D. CAPEX Allocation * **Strategic Investment Cycle:** Major **₹600 Cr CAPEX** complete for core capacity build; focus shifting to targeted outlays—**₹250 Cr in Karoli**, **₹100 Cr in Bangalore**—to optimize existing assets. * **Capital Discipline:** Cumulative Karoli investment estimated at **₹700 Cr**, reflecting sustained commitment; all expansion funded internally with no debt. --- # 4. Order Book & Demand ## A. Key Figures * **Export Revenue:** **₹63 Cr** (current period) vs. ₹74 Cr prior year (-15%) * Industry Production Growth: 5.8% YoY overall vehicles & two-wheelers in H1 FY'26 * Two-Wheeler Production: 12.8M units H1 FY'26 vs. 12.1M units H1 FY'25 (+33%) · Q2 FY'26: 6.9M units vs. 6.3M units Q2 FY'25 (+10%) ## B. Festive Season Demand * **Broad-Based Momentum:** Positive demand across all automotive segments—including passenger vehicles, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers—despite only partial impact from revised GST rates. ## C. Export Performance * **Near-Term Export Pressure:** Decline in export revenue attributed to global geopolitical instability affecting rare earths and magnet supply chains. * **Confident Recovery Outlook:** Management maintains expectation to surpass last year’s export levels, contingent on supply normalization in **Q4**. ## D. Industry Growth Trends * **Robust Sector Tailwinds:** Strong H1 growth driven by favorable macro conditions, **GST 0 reforms**, income tax rationalization, **two RBI rate cuts**, and a healthy monsoon boosting rural demand. * **Sustained Two-Wheeler Strength:** Industry posted **8% YTD growth**, with Q2 showing marked improvement over Q1, underpinned by government pay commission rollout and rising consumer sentiment. --- # 5. Collaborations & Launches ## A. Key Figures * **Revenue Potential (Alloy Wheels):** **₹250 Cr** (based on ₹125 Cr CAPEX, 2x asset turnover) * **CAPEX (Sunroof Cable JV):** **₹10 Cr** investment planned ## B. Japanese Partnership * **Imminent Product Launch:** New product launch with Japanese partner expected by **April or May**, followed by testing and supply to OEM. * **Pipeline Momentum:** Additional new product launch planned in the next financial year, with ongoing development cycles signaling sustained innovation. ## C. Taiwan Collaboration * **Advanced Testing Phase:** Taiwan collaboration in final testing with OEM; delays expected due to **safety-critical component requirements**. * **Near-Term Milestones:** Alloy wheels project with Taiwan has completed over a year of testing, pending final customer clearance. ## D. German JV Timeline * **Production Start Imminent:** German JV to commence operations **next month**, with production slated for **early H2 of next FY (~9 months out)**. * **Revenue Onset Timing:** Sunroof Cable JV on track to begin production in **9 months**, with revenue expected in **H2 of next FY**, in line with prior guidance. * **Forward-Looking Disclosure:** Management to provide **topline and bottom line projections** for the JV prior to operations, though specifics not yet disclosed. --- # 6. Input Cost & Regulatory Risks ## A. Key Figures * **GST Rate:** **18%** for two-wheelers (reduced from 28%) * **Aluminum Price Impact:** **30 bps** margin headwind · **3–5%** revenue inflation from pass-through ## B. Aluminum Price Impact * **Margin Resilience:** Despite ongoing aluminum alloy cost inflation, management expects to maintain current EBITDA margin levels, with **no anticipated decline to 14% in FY '26**. * **Pass-Through Mechanism:** Revenue growth partially reflects price pass-through of input cost increases; **absolute EBITDA remains protected** despite margin dilution from denominator effect. * **Supply Chain Optimism:** **China's release of rare earths** and improved magnet supply outlook support expectations of normalized conditions within a year, aided by potential **US-China sectoral truce**. ## C. GST Rate Changes * **Competitive Gain:** Lower GST rate enhances ASK’s pricing competitiveness in the two-wheeler aftermarket, enabling **market share gains from grey market and duplicators**. * **Working Capital Pressure:** Implementation on **September 23** triggered pre-Diwali inventory build-up, creating near-term working capital demand ahead of peak sales season. ## D. ABS Mandate Uncertainty * **Regulatory Delay Risk:** No confirmation on **ABS mandate rollout from January 1, 2026**; management cites high uncertainty pending official notification. --- # 7. Guidance & Outlook ## A. Key Figures * **Margin Guidance:** **13.7%** EBITDA margin target (–30 bps impact from aluminum) · **₹450 Cr** planned FY CAPEX (₹370 Cr released) ## B. Mid-Teens Growth Target * **Confident Growth Trajectory:** Management maintains **aspirational mid-teens growth target** for FY '26 and beyond, underpinned by strong festive demand, industry momentum, and visibility from ongoing programs. * **Segment Expansion:** Safety cable segment poised for recovery post-GST reduction, while aluminum business to contribute to overall growth without fixed segment-level turnover targets. * **Outperformance Trend:** Company continues to invest for scale and expects to sustain above-industry growth through execution and strategic CAPEX. ## C. Margin Guidance * **Guidance Intact:** Despite **30 bps headwind** from rising aluminum prices, management affirms absolute EBITDA is on track, with no change to the 7% margin guidance. ## D. CAPEX Plan * **Execution on Track:** Majority of current-year CAPEX (₹370 Cr of ₹450 Cr) already deployed, supporting near-term capacity needs. * **Moderated Future Spend:** Next fiscal CAPEX expected to decline to ~₹400 Cr, reflecting reduced incremental capacity requirements.