The Honda-Nissan on-again, off-again, on-again merger is the international automotive saga that keeps on giving. Now there's another twist.

Shares in the beleaguered Japanese carmaker surged on Friday despite Musk denying reports that Tesla could be a prospective investor.

While the Honda-Nissan merger is no more, a Japanese group is drawing up plans for Tesla to invest in Nissan, Reuters has reported, citing the Financial Times. Described as a high-level Japanese group that involves

A big electronics company wants to get into cars, and might have a deal with Nissan.

Moody’s said the rating action reflects the Japanese automaker’s weak profitability driven by slowing demand for its aging model portfolio.

Japanese business leaders are reportedly urging Tesla CEO Elon Musk to step in as a strategic investor in Nissan after the company’s merger talks with rival Honda collapsed last week.

Nissan Motor Co.’s credit rating was cut to speculative grade by Moody’s Ratings on Friday, the latest blow to the troubled Japanese carmarker that recently abandoned talks on a tie-up with Honda Motor Co.

The Nissan Z made was made as a tribute to the Datsun 240z in 2023. But with only a few thousand units sold, questions arise: Is the Z struggling due to industry trends, lack of marketing, or pricing missteps?

Moody's Ratings said on Friday it has downgraded its rating of Nissan Motor's credit by one notch to junk status, citing a weak and worsening outlook for the Japanese automaker's credit profile.

Nissan stock surged but pared gains on reports the Japanese automaker had a new dance partner — Tesla. Whether a deal with the EV juggernaut makes sense is another story worth exploring.