Tata Motors reports surprise loss of Rs 7,605 cr in Q4; revenue up 42%

Auto major Tata Motors reported a surprise consolidated net loss of Rs 7,605 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 (Q4FY21), mainly on account of asset write downs in subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).

According to a consensus estimate of Bloomberg, Tata Motors was expected to report a net profit of Rs 2,774.10 crore and revenue of Rs 87,517.8 crore for the fourth quarter.

The luxury carmaker, which owns JLR, has incurred cash write downs on assets worth Rs 9,606.1 crore. This is apart from the restructuring costs of Rs 5,388.2 crore. In total, the exceptional loss in Q4 related to JLR stood at nearly Rs 15,000 crore.

It posted a loss of Rs 9,894.2 crore in the corresponding period last year. The carmaker's revenue from operations came in at Rs 88,628 crore for the fourth quarter, up 42 per cent from the revenue of Rs 62,492 crore clocked in the same quarter last year. 

On a standalone basis, Tata Motors reported a net profit of Rs 1,646 crore as against a loss of Rs 4,871 crore in the year-ago period.

For the full financial year 2020-21, the company reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 13,395 crore, against a net loss of Rs 11,975 crore in the previous year.

Tata Motors has flagged global supply-related challenges, where coronavirus cases are still high in many markets. 

"Supply chain issues, in particular for semi-conductors, have become more difficult to mitigate and are now impacting production plans for Q1. The company is working closely with affected suppliers to resolve the issues and minimise the effect on customers," Tata Motors said in a stock exchange filing.

"While demand remains strong, the supply situation over the next few months is likely to be adversely impacted. We expect Q1 FY22 to be relatively weak due to this as well as rising commodity inflation and expect to improve gradually from the second quarter," it said.

The India business reported a 106 per cent year-on-year jump in revenues to Rs 20,046 crore in the March quarter.

"The CV business consistently posted sequential quarter on quarter growth on back of improved consumer sentiments, buoyancy in e-business, firming freight rates and higher infrastructure demand including road construction and mining. We have successfully improved our operational and financial performance by reducing cost," said Guenter Butschek, CEO and MD of Tata Motors.

Tata Motors reported an operating profit or the earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) at Rs 12.7k crore.

Passenger Vehicle (PV) sales in Q4 stood at 79,600, up 191.6 per cent and the PV market share improved to 8.2 per cent during the FY21.

Meanwhile, PV EBITDA stood at 4.9 per cent and absolute EBITDA highest in the last 10 years.

On Tuesday, Tata Motor's scrip rallied 3.4 per cent to close at Rs 332 on NSE.

(With inputs from Agencies)