nissan motor cos credit rating was cut to junk status by sp global ratings which cited a challenging business environment and the japanese auto makers relatively weak profitability sp on tuesday lowered its longterm issuer credit ratings on nissan by one notch to bb from bbb placing it below investment grade the rating company said the business environment for the auto industry would likely remain difficult over the next one to two years due partly to supplychain disruptions and a global economic slowdown sp also said that nissans profit margin and sales volume which had been weak over the past couple of years were unlikely to swiftly improve to the levels that the rating company had previously assumed the rating company said it remains uncertain on whether nissan will be able to secure a foothold in the rapidly growing global electricvehicle market the rating outlook is stable sp said adding that the companys earnings would likely continue to improve at a moderate pace