The Vinfast VF8 crossover EV from Vietnam received brutal reviews from the automotive media in its first U.S. test drives. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.

Today’s headlines:

+   The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) demanded the recall of 67 million air bag inflators to correct a safety defect, but supplier ARC Automotive rejected the action. More at Reuters. 

+   Giotto Bizzarrini, the engineer and designer who had a hand in countless Italian sports cars from the Ferrari GTO to the Lamborghini Miura, has passed away at 96. More at Autoweek. 

+   Hyundai officials in both South Korea and the USA have roundly denied a report in the South Korean outlet Money Today that the N Vision 74 concept is headed for production. More at Autoblog. 

+   World Rally Championship drivers have questioned the “harsh” penalty issued to Oliver Solberg for performing donuts at the end of a super special stage at Rally Portugal. More at Motorsport.com. 

+   Two EV battery manufacturers, Taiwan’s ProLogium and Northvolt of Sweden, plan to spend around $11 billion on factories in Europe after officials loosened state aid rules. More at World Auto Forum.  

+   At the Financial Times Future of the Car summit in London, Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida said solid-state batteries will be “a game changer” for the next generation of electric vehicles. More at Motor Trend. 

+   After 17 years, Peterbilt is retiring its premium flagship Model 389 truck for the Model 589, which features traditional styling but with a larger, roomier cab. More at Commercial Carrier Journal. 

+   The  Vinfast VF8 from Vietnam received brutal reviews from the U.S. auto media, with several outlets reporting that the crossover EV is not ready for the North American market. More at The Drive. 

+   The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released crash test findings indicating that small passenger cars can’t protect rear-seat occupants as well as front passengers. More at Car and Driver. 

+   NASCAR Cup driver Alex Bowman is unsure when he can return to his no. 48 Hendrick Motorsports seat after fracturing his vertebrae in a sprint-car accident last month. More at ESPN. 

Photo courtesy of Vinfast. 

Review the previous MCG Executive Briefing from May 12 here. 

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