During the recently held Automotive Press Association talk held in Detroit, Ford’s North American Fleet, Lease and Remarketing Operations director said that the company will soon be offering a wider range of options to make sure that their customers are able to reduce their operating costs, and be more environmentally friendly. Among the new options include CNG/LPG, biodiesel, battery-electric, hybrid, and more alternative-fuel options.

In line with this, the eco-friendly car company has also produced a new tool to help their consumers make more grounded and real decisions about their fleets. They have created the Vehicle Emissions and Fuel Cost Calculator. This way, consumers who are purchasing more than one van can know how much it would cost to maintain their newly purchased Transit vans, and how much carbon impact they would make on the planet as well.

The tool is very impressive because it also factors in your operations location. Not many people know that an electric car in Philadephia has a completely different environmental ramification from an electric car in Portland. Ford’s tool can demonstrate this in clear numbers.

It must be noted that Ford is a major seller of commercial vans. Their E-series has been selling like hotcakes for 32 years. Its market share has only continued to grow even with the onset of edgy competitors exploring the same niche. The E-series vans are currently being offered in CNG/LPG gaseous engine prep package fuel systems or flex fuel systems.

The recall also involves 274,368 Ford Escape units which has problems with an electrical connector for the anti-lock brake module. The car manufacturer though disclosed that replacement parts for this may not come until after several months.

The recalls will be implemented after a two year investigation of the NHTSA or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on the car’s risk for catching fire using some recalled units of Ford Escape.

According to the agency, there were 86 cases of fire reported with Ford Escapes which had been recalled before and serviced. NHTSA details the problem with the potential leaking of the brake fluid to the electrical connector of the ABS module which may lead to corrosion and eventually start a fire.

The root of the problem actually started back in 2007 when the car company had to recall 2001-2004 Escapes because of a misplaced or missing seals for the wiring connector to the ABS module. Ford relates that these vehicles might have not been properly serviced with electrical grease which was part of the recommendation before , and that the vehicles might have not been inspected properly.

Ford has not received reports of injuries caused by the problem. There were also few instances of damages to property due to the faulty Ford Escape.

Ford had major recalls in the recent years for fire risk issues.

Back in August, the company recalled about 1.2 million units of their popular tracks sold in the US and Canada due to fuel tank problem which potentially may hit the ground and spark and cause a fire. Back in 20120, 4.5 million units were also recalled due to cruise control problems also linked to fire risks.

The car manufacturer suspended their production line at the AutoAlliance Thailand which makes passenger vehicles for them from 19 to 22 October. This factory is also operated jointly with Mazda Motor Corporation. Ford will reassess the situation and see if they can resume operations by 25 October which also follows a downtime maintenance schedule coinciding with a long weekend holiday. The truck production which was suspended earlier continues of be offline.

The Ford factory in Rayong is not affected by the floods but its suppliers mainly based in the province of Ayutthaya are struggling with the rising flood levels.

A big region of Thailand has been affected by flooding including the industrial centers where a lot of Japanese carmakers are operating and where a lot of automotive suppliers are based. Several Japanese car manufacturers like Mazda have also suspended operations.

General Motors confirmed that their Rayong factory is also safe from the flood waters. GM though continues to monitor the flow of their supplies which primarily come from local parts makers who might be struggling with the floods.

The annual capacity of the affected Ford car plant is around 275,000 units. The company did not confirm the volume of production affected due to the floods in Thailand. The Thailand production line makes Ford Range and the BT-50 Mazda pickup. It also makes the Ford Fiesta, Mazda3, and Mazda2. None of these units are sent to North America.

This smashing Harley-Davidson F-150 special edition is available either in White Platinum Tri-Coat or the handsome Tuxedo Black body finish. This model also comes with a redesigned six-bar grille, 22-inch aluminum wheels, tinted headlights, and exterior graphics.

The interiors also make its mark with the inclusion of heated leather seats, the Harley-Davidson badge located on the central console, and the highly glossy trim finishes. This bad-ass model also comes with a power moon roof, scuff plates made of brushed aluminum, and an advanced GPS navigation system. There’s also a remote start system and a 4.2-inch productivity screen. The Harley-Davidson F-150 special edition also comes with ambient lighting features, adjustable performance pedals, rear-view camera, and a 110v-power inverter.

Under the hood of the Harley-Davidson F-150 special edition is a 6.2-liter V8 petrol engine with 411 horsepower and 434 lb-ft of torque power attached to a 6-speed manual gearbox with an optional 4-wheel drive mechanism. While we’re still waiting for the figures of the official performance specs, all we have at hand as of late is that this model has a maximum towing capacity of 7,500 pounds.

The new Harley-Davidson F-150 special edition is an addition to the F-series trucks of the Ford-Harley-Davidson product line. Now that’s another hardcore Ford-Harley-Davidson model to look forward to.

The war between the Supercharger vs. Twin-Turbo has kept the online and publishing automobile communities busy for more than a year. While most rumors favored on the side of supercharger, the rumors about the Mustang GT500 getting a twin-turbo engine just won’t cease to end, until now.

The 2014 Mustang GT500 that will roll out early in 2013 will surely get more than 550 horsepower, which then confirms that its competitor, Chevy’s Camaro ZL1 will get more than that too. Perhaps a 570 horsepower?

Now while the 2014 Mustang GT500 will be released early, the fully redesigned Mustang GT500 won’t see the light of the showrooms until 2014. Engine design, lightweight materials, and design overhaul specifications are still all speculations with lots of suggestions thrown by experts and enthusiasts alike.

All ears are tuned in for the showdown between the 2014 Mustang GT500 and Chevy’s Camaro ZL1 but for now, let’s be content that the former will still carry a supercharger.

During internal testings, Ford discovered that good eco-driving skills can boost fuel economy by as much as 24%. Projecting the impact of this, Ford estimates that if Americans will try to have good eco-driving skills and improve their own fule economy by 15%, there will be a total savings of 22 billion gallons of fuel each year.

Here are some of the basic preachings of driving in EcoMode:

Make use of the highest possible drivable gear
Accelerate and decelarate smoothly
Anticipate the flow of traffic
maintain your speeds constantly
Do not idle excessively
Do not take short trips with your engine cold

The software looks at the parameters for gear shifting and sees if the above behavior patterns are followed. It also checks if the driver adjusts the speed so he or she will not be going heavy on the acceleration or braking. Cruising on open roads to be more efficient is also monitored.

Ford Focus drivers can also review the results and compare it with the optimized driving patters as recommended by the software. During driving, the system gives feedback to the driver on the cluster screen and encourages him or her to earn more leaves for every discipline.

The Focus also has an option Eco-Route which is a map-based navigation system.

Ford recently unveiled a high end version of the 2011 Mustang dubbed as the RTR. The package was developed in collaboration with Formula Drift Mustang GT driver, Vaughn Gittin Jr. and can now be availed through select dealers of Ford for $7,895.

The RTR features rear diffuser, aluminum spoiler, extensions for the side sill, and chin spoiler. Other highlights of the car include the distinctive stripes, 19-inch rims with FK-452 Falken tires, and an interior trim that includes custom shifter, RTR emblems, and exclusive mats.

The car manufacturer has not officially released the performance numbers of the Mustang RTR. They also tweaked the ECU of the car, installed an air filter that is high flow, and racing mufflers.

The goal of the project is to introduce a Mustang package that will appeal to the younger crowd and lovers of muscle cars as well. The package is currently offered for Mustang GTs with a V6 package due before the end of the year. The team of Michigan-based Classic Design Concepts builds the package.

Teasers of the RTR Carbon are being shown at the MustangRTR.com with a sticker price expected to hit $135,000. No details have been released for the RTR Carbon.

We have a clip below so you can checkout the Mustang RTR in action.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Ford uses 2.0L 4L engine with Ecoboost technology for the Edge. The company boasts that this powerplant can perform as good as the outgoing 3.5L engines of the current model. The new engine also has a 15% better fuel mileage. Other options include a V6 3.5L engine that ouputs 285hp and a 3.7L variant that has 305hp. All engines are coupled with automatic transmission with some coming with paddle shifters to give that manual-like control.

The designers of Ford kept the excellent driving quality and dramatic lines of the first generation Ford Edge. Engineers have also boosted the fuel economy of the car and focused on decreasing vibration levels and noise.

The carmaker also installed MyFord Touch technology which replaces the tradition control knobs, buttons, and gauges of the vehicle. You can now control the music and other stuff through sleek LCD screens.

The MyFord Touch comes standard on both the Ford Edge Limited and the Edge Sport. The new system displays information via two LCD screens 4.2 inches big located near an analog speedometer. There is also an 8-inch screen at the center stack.

The driver can control the information to be displayed on the screen by using the controls placed on both sides of the crossbar of the steering wheel. There is also a SYNC function which allows connectivity with a mobile device.

The new breed of Ford Edge will be coming to dealerships by summer this year.

The new MKX looks like a totally different vehicle when seen from the front. The front fascia has been freshened up and the redesigned split wing grille gives it a distinctive look. The headlamps receive an HID treatment while the tail lamps use LED. The hood and more contoured lines of the sides give it a more aggressive stance. The oval exhaust tips give it a sportier appeal.

The Lincoln MXK has a Ford V-6 3.7L Duratec power plant under its hood. The engine makes use of new systems like the Ti-VCT or Twin Independent Camshaft Timing to give the car some more power and torque without sacrificing excellent fuel economy.

The new MKX has a better output of 305 horsepower with a 280 lb-ft of torque. The numbers are 15% (for the horsepower) and 12% (torque) better than the previous release. The powerful engine is paired with an automatic transmission with six speeds with an option to go on pseudo manual mode. The 2011 MKX has a fuel rating of up to 25 mile per gallon while cruising on the highway.

Inside the MKX, the most noticeable change is the instrument panel which has been upgraded to a touch-sensitive design. The new technology replaces traditional center-stack switches and knobs, giving a connected driver experience.

The first sales of the new Lincoln MKX is plotted to come before the end of 2010.

One place you can start your aftermarket mods is by getting a new Mustang hood. Not only are you adding a huge style upgrade, but one that will immediately be noticeable to anyone who catches a glimpse of your Pony, whether you’re on the road or have it set up at a car show. AmericanMuscle has plenty of aftermarket Mustang hood options, from ones for the Foxbody Mustangs of the ’80′s, all the way up to hoods for the newly updated 2010. With all these options, you’ll be sure to find the hood that will give your Stang that unique and mean look you’ve been dying for. So head on over to our easy-to-navigate website and pick up all the mods you could ever want at AmericanMuscle.