Runde Chevrolet announces that it has been named a 2023 Top-Rated Dealer by CarGurus (Nasdaq: CARG), the No. 1 visited digital auto platform for shopping, buying, and selling new and used vehicles (Traffic Report, Q4 2022, U.S.). The prestigious annual award is the longest-running program of its kind, honoring an exclusive group of dealers who consistently deliver exceptional customer service to car shoppers. Runde Chevrolet achieved Top-Rated Dealer status by maintaining a minimum 4.5 out 5-star average rating and earning at least five verified customer reviews through the CarGurus platform in 2022. “Like CarGurus, our Top-Rated Dealers recognize the importance of being a trusted resource in helping customers shop, buy, and sell with certainty and ease,” said Spencer Scott, Executive Vice President of Sales and Service at CarGurus. “We commend Runde Chevrolet for continuing to [...]

Top Notch + Top Of The Line + Top of the Mountain = High Country Chevrolet’s plush top-of-the-line trim level, namely the 2023 High Country Silverado, has countless unique features that really distance it from other trucks. For example, the streamlined chrome grille on the new front end and the upscale aluminum wheel options. There are a number of wheel choices available and all you have to do is decide on what color you want (machined aluminum, black, carbon, or chrome) and whether you want the 20″ or 22″ (of course the 22’s will fill out the wheel well a little more).  Both of these really set it apart from the other Silverado trim levels as well as from [...]

If you’ve been down to Creative Adventure Lab you have probable seen kids building different cars to zoom down the Runde Speedway. To celebrate the holiday season we will be hosting a Runde Race Day. The event will take place on Thursday, December 29 and will have three different categories. Prizes will be given away for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each category.  3 – 3:25 p.m.: Fastest Racer Competition Design a car that will zoom down the speedway! 3:30 – 3:55 p.m.: Slowest Racer Competition Design a car that will make its way down the speedway as slowly as possible but still gets to the bottom. 4 – 4:25 p.m.: Craziest Car Design Design the most unique car that you can imagine that will still make it down the speedway! This will be a great activity for all the kids and give them something to look [...]

The Chevy Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD will undergo a model makeover for the 2024 model year. The exterior styling will be revamped, and this will also bring about some exciting new upgrades as well as some new features. One feature that has the national media buzzing is the new GCW Alert. GCW is short for a truck’s Gross Combined Weight and basically a driver never wants the GCW to exceed the gross combined weight rating which varies and is specific to each truck depending on how it’s equipped. But how many truck owners actually pay attention to this. They chop down a tree and then throw as much wood as possible in the back of the truck and then load up the trailer they’re towing with as much wood [...]

In your temporary state of tryptophan-induced comatose bliss this past Thanksgiving, you may have accidentally scrumbled (that’s a cross between scrolled and stumbled) across GM’s newest design sketch on your Instagram feed.   In the Mood for a New Buick The new design features a long, sleek Buick sedan with oversized aluminum wheels with extremely low profile tires.  The front end definitely has a supercar look and feel and let’s just say the car gives off good vibes to fans of the Buick brand.  This was somewhat curious coming from a manufacturer that doesn’t currently offer a sedan or coupe in its model lineup. The Buick brand has been historically known for its line of cars from the LeSabre, Invicta & Electra trio from back in the day [...]

Chevrolet recently released their newest model … the all-new 2024 Chevy Trax.  The all new Trax design clearly derives some of its styling cues from the upcoming Chevy Blazer and it promises to be a very popular SUV choice within the Chevrolet model lineup in the not-so-distant future. It’s quite a bit larger than the previous generation.  How much bigger, you ask?   Well it’s actually a whopping 11 inches longer than the old Trax model and 2 inches wider.  Just to be clear, that translates into mucho interior space for a compact SUV.   

When I was hired by Runde Auto Group, I shared the story of my first car buying experience. I now have the opportunity to share my first buying experience from Runde Auto Group. With my wife and I both owning vehicles over 10 years old, we knew it was time for a vehicle upgrade when Runde Auto Group received a delivery of new Equinoxes. We worked with Greg and Harrison Runde and agreed on a time to bring in our trade-in for an appraisal. It was nearing 6 p.m. when we arrived with our trade-in to have an inspection completed. We figured we would hear back the next day as the dealership closes at 7 p.m. We were quite surprised when we received a call that evening with not only a value for our trade-in, but three different purchase options based on the incentives that were available. After discussing the options with my wife, I sent an email the [...]

Whether it is new shoes or a new car, you will spend a large amount of time making sure it as clean as the day you bought it. To help keep your car looking brand new Runde Auto Group offers a variety of services that can help protect your vehicle’s interior and exterior. Upholstery Protection: This protection can be applied to both leather and cloth interiors. Not only will it help reduce the signs of aging it will help protect your interior from things like drink spills and pet stains. Paint Protection: In a similar fashion to the upholstery protection we can apply a sealant to the exterior of your vehicle which can help protect it from bird droppings and tree sap. Windshield Protection: At Runde we offer a service called Diamon-Fusion windshield protection. This protective coating helps fill in the pores a windshield normally has to allow it to better repel rain and mud. The [...]

The Dubuque Symphony Orchestra (DSO) will be hosting their Ultimate Country Hits on Friday, June 3rd and Saturday, June 4th at 8:00pm at the Mississippi Moon Bar located in the Diamond Jo Casino. “When you come to a Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Ultimate Country Hits concert, you’re getting the best of both worlds – you’ll experience nearly 20 of the region’s best orchestral musicians join in with about as many of the area’s best Country singers and musicians all on stage and playing some of Country’s greatest hits.  This year, we’ll feature songs from across the Country spectrum including hits like Seminole Wind, Chicken Fried, and Folsom Prison. There is nothing like seeing some of your favorite local Country artists, backed by an [...]

Franchesca Doty, daughter of Greg and Julie Runde has joined the family business that has been around since 1927. She will be working with the office staff and managing Accounts Payable. Hometown: East Dubuque, IL Favorite Food: I don’t really have a favorite food, I like to try new foods and I love to cook so it’s always fun to experiment with different recipes. What is your work background in the Auto Industry?: I’ve been around the auto industry my whole life, but I’ve never held a full time job here so I’m excited to get work with my family and learn the family business! Pets: A dog named Baxter. What is your Favorite vehicle?: My favorite vehicle is probably the Chevy Tahoe. What you like to do in your spare time?: I like to read, cook, and spend time [...]

Thank you for voting Runde’s as the Best Car and Truck Dealership! What started in 2014 as a proud achievement has grown into a legacy that we hope to continue for many years into the future. Once again we were voted Best Fest’s winner for Best Car and Truck Dealership in Dubuque (and surrounding area) and Best Place for Auto Repair in Dubuque (and surrounding area). These awards would not be possible without 2 groups of people. First: our customers.  Without your continued support and referrals, there is no way we would be a double Best Fest winner for 9 years in a row!  Second: our [...]

Electric vehicles are becoming more and more popular, and for good reason.   They’re environmentally friendly, efficient, and stylish. If you’re going to be in the market for a newer vehicle sometime over the course of the next 3 or 4 years, you should consider buying a vehicle that runs solely off electricity.  GM just debuted their pre-production Chevy Silverado EV and it’s causing a lot of buzz at the Chicago Auto Show. Here are 6 reasons why you might want to give some consideration toward eventually buying one. 1: The Chevy Silverado EV is good for the environment.  No matter where you stand in your view of electric vehicles and where they fit in with the future of everyday transportation, you can’t argue with zero emissions.  What’s good for the planet is good for [...]

The 2023 Chevy Blazer has been restyled for the upcoming model year and will now sport a new look with refreshed styling and updated features. For the 2023 model year, the Blazer gets a new front end and revised headlights. The back of the Blazer will also see a change with a more muscular look. Some other changes include a new grille, bumper, and taillights.   Redesigned Grill The redesigned grill is now more angular and has a more imposing look. It also has a larger grille opening to allow more air to get to the engine compartment.  While the Blazer will still feature headlights mounted just below the daytime running lamps, the LED headlamps have been revamped to provide a fresh new look.

With 2022 just a few days away it is time to make some New Year’s Resolutions and it is important to include some goals for your vehicle. Below you will find a list of resolutions that are easy to keep and will help keep your car’s value at its highest. It’s time to clean   Everyone dreads cleaning, but once you get done with the initial cleaning it becomes quicker and easier to keep your vehicle clean. You can start by getting rid of all the empty water bottles, candy wrappers, and other items that have no place being in your vehicle. When you have the trash cleaned it up, it is time to get out the vacuum and other cleaning supplies. Make sure to get into all the small, hard to reach places where you know all the lost chips are hiding. Wipe down the dash, center console, cup holders, and anywhere dust [...]

Like most people, I’ll never forget buying my first car.  When the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am you were gifted at 16 refuses to die, you don’t have your first experience at a car dealership until you are 24. After realizing the cost of doing repairs was costing way more than the car was worth, I knew I was going to get my chance of shopping for a nice used car and I was especially looking forward to having power windows and a working a/c. For the next few months, I spent my time doing vehicle research online and test driving various cars. Finally, I decided I wanted a blue Kia Forte. Luckily, I was able to find the exact one I wanted and with the promise of a big Fourth of July savings [...]

As many of you are aware by now there is a semiconductor chip shortage for the entire automotive industry. To help get new vehicles out to their consumers, manufacturers are looking into multiple options on how to use the chips they do have most effectively. General Motors has come up with a temporary workaround for the current semiconductor chip shortage.   They’ve decided to “delay equipping” their vehicles with some of their standard or optional features in an effort to conserve chips. These features are front heated/ventilated seats, front heated seats, or rear heated seats. Once chips are readily available again, we (the dealers) will be able to retrofit these features back into your vehicle. There will be no cost to the consumer to get the features retrofitted. GM [...]

Happy Veterans Day!  Runde Auto Group would like to thank all of our Veterans for their service. Please know that people who are veterans and have served the U.S. in a formal military capacity are able to take advantage of a number of new vehicle incentives. Here are links to some of the car manufacturers and the offers they have. GM: https://tinyurl.com/GM-Military-Discount Chevy: https://www.chevrolet.com/special-offers Ford: https://www.fordsalutesthosewhoserve.com/Home/Login Dodge: https://www.dodge.com/incentives/military-incentive.html Jeep: https://www.jeep.com/incentives/military-incentive.html Beyond car manufacturers there are a multitude of companies offering military discounts. A large list of these companies can be seen by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/RundeVeteran. Runde Auto Group is proud to support our Veterans, you can read about us becoming a sponsor of Project Echelon here. We are happy to assist any Veteran find the right vehicle for their [...]

“Project Echelon is a veteran’s non-profit organization that educates, equips and empowers veterans and their families through physical activity and self discovery. It was founded on April 1, 2016 through the collaborative efforts of Eric Beach, an Iraq War Veteran, and Eric Hill, a community leader in education, servant leadership, and supporting active service members and veterans.”  After learning about project Echelon it was an easy decision to become one of their sponsors. We hope our sponsorship is able to help them grow and serve even more veterans in the future.     When asked what these sponsorships mean for the project, Eric Hill states. “Support from companies like Runde Auto Group, who are embedded and invested in their communities, is essential to the success, sustainability, and scalability of our organization. As an organization, we serve over 250 veterans a year with coaching, mentoring, equipment and event scholarships, and other supports. The Project Echelon organization [...]

Runde Auto Group is excited to announce that Doug Frank of East Dubuque will be joining the Runde Staff as their new Marketing Director! Doug has had various marketing roles since graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 2012. “I am excited to learn more about the auto industry and be a part of a company that has been serving the Tri-State community for nearly 100 years.” When not in the office, Doug spends his time renovating his home and relaxing with his wife (Catie) and their two dogs (Millie & Lola). If you would like to talk about a sponsorship or marketing opportunity, please reach out to Doug Frank at marketing@rundeautogroup.com or visit our donation/sponsorship request page.        

There was excitement in the air at Runde Chevrolet this week as Chevrolet pulled back the cover a little bit to give the public (us) a better idea of what the 2023 Corvette Z06 will look like.  And what they gave us was an actual photo of the car without any distracting camouflage to obscure our view of the exterior panels. Of course one of the first things you’ll notice is the disclaimer at the bottom that reads:  “Pre-Production model shown.  Actual model may vary.”  With less than a month between now and the full reveal in October, it leaves a little room for minor cosmetic alterations.   The body-colored spoiler shown is quite reminiscent of the style of wing that was on the previous Z06 model. Obviously one of the things that could vary from the photo is the wheels, but the wheels that are shown in the photo are very nice with an intricate [...]

Chuck Klotz from Dubuque stopped by Runde Chevrolet today and purchased his new  Silverado 1500 High Country Deluxe crew cab.  After the sale, it occurred to us that quite a few members of Chuck’s family have purchased trucks from Runde’s recently and when we looked back through the books, we found that 5 different members of the Klotz family had purchased a new Chevy truck from us this year. That’s a lot of vehicles in a short amount of time.  Many of our customers refer friends and family members quite regularly as we have quite a large following of loyal customers from the local area.  And a lot of customers return time and time again to purchase from us because they know we’ll treat them the way they want to be treated and fully realize we’re the dealership that’s going to provide them with the best deal without any hassle or teeth-pulling. Chuck was [...]

Last week J.D. Power released their findings regarding a study based on the emotional appeal of recently launched new vehicles.  This goal of the study was to try and measure owners’ emotional attachment to their newly purchased vehicles.  To arrive at these results, J.D. Power asked survey participants to rate their vehicle based on 37 key emotional attributes that ranged from the feeling they got when they first saw the exterior of their vehicle to the level of emotion they experienced as they drove off the dealer’s lot in their newly purchased vehicle.  Finishing at the top of the ratings were Dodge and Ram Truck with scores of 882 and 881 respectively (the scores were on a 1,000 point scale).  It should be noted that Dodge and Ram Truck are grouped in the “mainstream” vehicle category.  However with its score of 882, Dodge actually tied the score achieved by Porsche in the “premium” [...]

Major automakers are funneling millions of dollars into building electric vehicles and an infrastructure to charge them, but many drivers are still hesitant to make the switch from the traditional gas-powered vehicles they have driven all their lives to a battery-powered ride. They have questions about range, charging, and driving long distances, as well as confusion about EV concepts like regen paddles, one-pedal driving, and more. Who better to ask these questions, than electric vehicle owners themselves? In this series, we will be sharing the experiences of Runde customers who have made the transition to being an EV owner. Meet Jacob Puls, of East Dubuque, who recently leased his first electric vehicle, a 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV. As a salesperson at Runde Chevrolet, Jacob has sold his fair share of electric vehicles, but had yet to own one. “In all honesty, I talked my brother into it (his twin brother is Jared Puls, whose EV story [...]

  Major automakers are funneling millions of dollars into building electric vehicles and an infrastructure to charge them. But many drivers are still hesitant to make the switch from the traditional gas-powered vehicles they have driven all their lives to a battery-powered ride. They have questions about range, charging, and driving long distances, as well as confusion about EV concepts like regen paddles, one-pedal driving, and more. Who better to ask these questions, than electric vehicle owners themselves? In this series, we will be sharing the experiences of Runde customers who have made the transition to an EV. Meet Jesse Green, of Dubuque, a proud owner of his third electric vehicle. He recently drove [...]

Major automakers are funneling millions of dollars into building electric vehicles and an infrastructure to charge them. But many drivers are still hesitant to make the switch from the traditional gas-powered vehicles they have driven all their lives to a battery-powered ride. They have questions about range, charging, and driving long distances, as well as confusion about EV concepts like regen paddles, one-pedal driving, and more. Who better to ask these questions, than electric vehicle owners themselves? In this series, we will be sharing the experiences of Runde customers who have made the transition to an EV. Meet Jared Puls, of East Dubuque, who bought his first-ever electric vehicle a few months ago when he joined [...]