Since the dramatic downfall of “Cost Killer” chief executive Carlos Ghosn in 2018, Japan’s Nissan Motor Co. has labored with weak sales and an outdated model lineup.In December, Honda Motor Co. threw the company a potential lifeline by agreeing to consider a deal that would create one of the world’s biggest carmakers — and a more formidable rival to upstart Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brands.

Nissan Motor Co is expected to struggle to find a new partner after the breakdown of its planned merger with Honda Motor Co. indicated a lack of urgency by the ailing carmaker about restoring its battered operations.

The Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda have called off a $50 billion merger that would have formed one of the world's largest car companies.