Fonzie’s 1949 Triumph motorcycle from the classic TV show Happy Days will be offered at the Bonhams TCM Presents…Hollywood Cool auction on Dec. 8. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.

Today’s Headlines:

+   General Motors is cutting the popular heated-seat feature from much of its vehicle lineup, including some Chevy and GMC trucks, due to the ongoing global chip shortage. More at The Detroit News. 

+   BMW denied reports by the German newspaper Automobilwoche that it was interested in buying Britain’s McLaren Automotive, but Audi says it is open to cooperation. More at Reuters. 

+   The share price of Chinese electric carmaker Xpeng jumped 10 percent as the company teased images of the SUV it will launch at the Guangzhou auto show this month. More at CNBC. 

+   Bob Bondurant, American road racing legend and founder of the Bondurant Racing School in 1968, passed away Friday in Paradise Valley, Arizona, at the age of 88. More at Racer. 

+   Ford unveiled a 2022 Ford Mustang GT500 Heritage Edition in Brittany Blue with Wimbledon White racing stripes to honor the original 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500. More at Autoblog. 

+   Dozens of motorists experienced car troubles after a Speedway station in Avon Lake, Ohio dispensed tainted gasoline that was possibly contaminated with diesel fuel. More at The Drive. 

+   According to the rumor mill, for 2023 the Corvette LT2 6.2-liter V8 with 490 hp could be made available in the Camaro, which currently features an LT1 455 hp V8. More at Motor Illustrated. 

+   Porsche has five world premieres planned for this month’s Los Angeles Auto Show, including the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, a race car, and a third body style for the Taycan EV. More at Motor Authority. 

+   A 1949 Triumph Trophy 500 built by legendary stuntman Bud Ekins for the TV show Happy Days will be offered at the Bonhams TCM Presents…Hollywood Cool auction. More at ClassicCars.com Journal. 

+   Rahal Letterman Lanigan, which has campaigned BMWs in the GT categories since 2009 along with its IndyCar program, will run the BMW IMSA prototype team starting in 2022. More at Road & Track. 

Photo courtesy and copyright of Bonhams. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from November 12 here.