Country: Japan
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Fundamental View
AS OF 12 Dec 2022Honda is unique among its Automotive peers owing to its global leadership position within the motorcycle market, in which it maintains a 25% global market share and consistent low-double-digit operating margins. The larger automotive business – which accounts for roughly two-thirds of Honda’s consolidated revenue – has seen its profitability decline since 2017 and remains in turnaround mode. While the company’s Power Products segment provides it with added diversification, the segment has posted a profit only one year in the past decade.
Business Description
AS OF 12 Dec 2022- Honda Motor Co., Ltd. engages in the manufacture and sale of automobiles, motorcycles, and power products. It operates through the following segments: Automobile, Motorcycle, Financial Services, and Power Product and Other Businesses. The Automobile segment manufactures and sells automobiles and related accessories. The Motorcycle segment handles all-terrain vehicles, motorcycle business, and related parts. The Financial Services segment provides financial and insurance services. The Power Product and Other Businesses segment offers power products and relevant parts. The company was founded by Soichiro Honda on September 24, 1948 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
- American Honda Finance Corporation (AHFC) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM or the Parent). Honda Canada Finance Inc. (HCFI) is a majority-owned subsidiary of AHFC. Noncontrolling interest in HCFI is held by Honda Canada Inc. (HCI), an affiliate of AHFC. AHM is a wholly-owned subsidiary and HCI is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (HMC). Honda Motor Co. (HMC) maintains Keep Well (support) agreements with its North American finance subsidiaries, AHFC and HCFI. Under the Keep Well agreements, HMC agrees to (1) maintain at least 80% ownership in AHFC and HCFI, (2) ensure AHFC and HCFI maintain a positive net worth, and (3) ensure both AHFC and HCFI have sufficient liquidity to meet their debt payment obligations.
Risk & Catalysts
AS OF 12 Dec 2022Honda’s Non-Financial Services credit metrics are strong with cash and cash equivalents more than 3x its debt balance. While we believe its credit rating has upside potential to mid-A over time – its longtime rating prior to the pandemic that would enable it to access the Tier 1 CP market – we do not expect positive rating momentum until the automotive supply chain normalizes and Honda improves the performance of its automotive segment.
While we believe all automakers are susceptible to deteriorating vehicle sales in the event of a recession, Honda’s motorcycle segment sales and profitability have remained resilient in previous recessions including the 2008-09 financial crisis and could lead to modest outperformance versus its peers in a recessionary environment.
Management trimmed its expected FY23 unit wholesale growth for Motorcycles and Automobiles by 1% and 2%, respectively, with lower Automobile wholesales tied to semiconductor availability in North America. Higher operating profit guidance is related to strength in its Motorcycle segment and favorable currency effects.
Key Metrics
AS OF 28 Feb 2023¥ bn | FY19 | FY20 | FY21 | FY22 | LTM 3Q22 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenue | 13,523 | 12,344 | 10,908 | 11,967 | 12,963 |
EBIT | 719 | 578 | 576 | 741 | 751 |
EBIT Margin | 5% | 5% | 5% | 6% | 6% |
EBITDA | 1,403 | 1,216 | 1,175 | 1,334 | 1,365 |
EBITDA Margin | 10% | 10% | 11% | 11% | 11% |
Total Liquidity | 3,520 | 3,611 | 3,717 | 4,612 | 4,772 |
Net Debt | (1,944) | (1,931) | (2,048) | (2,481) | (2,561) |
Total Debt | 438 | 532 | 480 | 837 | 946 |
Gross Leverage | 0.3x | 0.4x | 0.4x | 0.6x | 0.7x |
Net Leverage | -1.4x | -1.6x | -1.7x | -1.9x | -1.9x |
CreditSights View
AS OF 12 Dec 2022Our Underperform recommendation on Honda Motor and American Honda Finance notes is based primarily on relative value as we expect relatively tight trading levels to offer limited opportunity for outperformance. Honda Motor has struggled with supply chain challenges more than some of its automotive peers such as Toyota and Hyundai, which has contributed to constrained production and lower wholesale and retail light vehicle sales. We expect Honda’s automotive business performance to improve in 2023 as volumes improve, while its motorcycle unit continues to drive the majority of the company’s industrial operating profit.
Recommendation Reviewed: February 28, 2023
Recommendation Changed: January 13, 2023
Who We Recommend
Siam Commercial Bank
Bangkok Bank
Kasikornbank

