Are Tata Motors' Shares Dropping Due to $4.5 Billion Iveco Acquisition Talks?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Tata Motors is in talks to acquire Iveco's truck division for $4.5 billion.
- Shares of Tata Motors fell by nearly 4 percent amid investor concerns.
- This deal could mark Tata's largest acquisition since Jaguar Land Rover.
- Iveco's truck business is crucial, contributing 70 percent to its revenue.
- The timing coincides with Tata Motors' spin-off of its commercial vehicle division.
Mumbai, July 30 (NationPress) In light of reports indicating that Tata Motors is in advanced discussions to acquire the truck segment of Italy's Iveco Group in a potential $4.5 billion transaction, the company's shares faced considerable downward pressure on Wednesday. Early trading saw a decline of nearly 4 percent.
As of 11:23 A.M., Tata Motors' stock was down 3.08 percent from the prior close at Rs 671.85. This dip reflects investor concerns regarding the implications and scale of what could emerge as the Tata Group's second-largest foreign acquisition, following the $12.9 billion purchase of Corus Steel in 2007.
The negotiations with Iveco, owned by the Agnelli family, are reportedly focused on acquiring its Defence and commercial truck divisions.
Iveco has acknowledged that it is exploring the option of divesting its industrial vehicle segment, although a definitive choice has yet to be made.
However, reports suggest that the deal might receive Board-level approval as soon as today.
If finalized, this transaction would mark Tata Motors' most significant acquisition since its $2.3 billion purchase of Jaguar Land Rover in 2008 and could substantially enhance the company’s footprint in the global commercial vehicle sector.
The timing of this move is particularly noteworthy, as Tata Motors is in the process of spinning off its commercial vehicle operations into a distinct entity, a transition expected to be finalized by December 2025.
In India, this division commands a 30 percent market share in light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and a robust 49 percent share in heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs).
Last fiscal year, it reported revenues of Rs 75,000 crore.
The core of Iveco's industrial activities lies in its truck division, which contributes 70 percent of its total industrial revenue, while the bus and powertrain segments each account for 15 percent.
Iveco holds an 8–9 percent share in the medium and heavy truck market, along with a 13.3 percent stake in the European LCV market in 2024.