Let’s talk vehicle safety features! It seems like new technology is released daily to aid in keeping drivers and passengers safe on the road, so the wide variety of options can be confusing. While each brand has slightly different names for their safety features, most are comparable across vehicle makes. In early 2020, the Department of Transportation endorsed a list of standardized names in an effort to promote standard language and reduce consumer confusion of safety features between brands. Active Park Assist This option will automatically steer your vehicle to assist with parallel or reverse perpendicular parking. How much it controls depends upon the specific brand and model you have, but some will also handle the gear shifts, braking, and accelerating. Adaptive Cruise Control Using radar and camera technology, this feature lets you set a cruising speed and a distance from the vehicle ahead of you. When it slows down, you automatically do too. When [...]

The staff of Runde Auto Group would like to thank you for your business, support, and for being our customer at our dealerships in East Dubuque, Hazel Green, Platteville, and Manchester. We are thankful that you have continued to choose us for your vehicle sales and service needs. Deemed essential business, our dealerships remain open during this time. We continue to help you with sales and service while practicing social distancing and with enhanced hygiene procedures throughout our dealerships. For service, we can pick up your vehicle at your home or work and deliver it back to you when service is complete. For sales, we can bring a vehicle to your home for a test drive, and work the deal completely by phone or email. You can fill out an online trade evaluation and online credit application, and browse over 1,500 vehicles on our website – all shown with real prices and up-to-date [...]

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was recently named the 2020 Best New Family Car in the minivan category by Good Housekeeping, in partnership with Car and Driver! The popular minivan has earned more than 130 industry honors and accolades since its re-introduction a couple years ago as a replacement to the Chrysler Town & Country. The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was revealed at the 2020 Chicago Auto Show and is expected to arrive at Runde Auto Group in Manchester later this year.   With thoughtful extras like Stow ‘N Go seating, an on-board vacuum, and tons of storage, the Pacifica is as comfortable and functional as a living room on wheels. Now it also is available with all-wheel drive on all gas models, making it the only minivan to offer both AWD [...]

The all-new 2021 Chevy Trailblazer has arrived at Runde Auto Group! First sold from 2001 to 2009, the Trailblazer was a well-loved SUV that is still seen on the road today. This refreshed 5-passenger Trailblazer is a small SUV – it is larger than the Trax, but smaller than the Blazer. Cargo space is the name of the game in the Trailblazer. Not only can the rear seats fold flat, but so can the front passenger seat (on LS and LT models), which provides room for items up to 8 ½ feet long!   The family-friendly vehicle has 10 airbags, along with a number of standard safety features, such as Automatic Emergency Braking Forward Collision Alert Front Pedestrian Braking Following Distance Indicator Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning Rear Vision Camera Teen [...]

Are your Illinois license plates expiring? All Illinois Secretary of State offices and Driver Services facilities are closed to the public until Dec. 7. “After careful consideration, we have decided to close all Driver Services facilities until December 7, due to the worsening COVID-19 pandemic,” said White, in a press release. “The health and safety of employees and the public remains paramount and face-to-face transactions potentially increase the further spread of the virus. We have extended expiration dates to assist people during this difficult time.” While facilities are closed, White is encouraging residents to take advantage of many online services – such as renewing vehicle registration stickers – from the comfort of their own home. People who conduct online transactions will further help to reduce the number of transactions that will occur at Driver [...]

With quarantines and lock downs taking place all across the country, it can be easy to get a little bored! Here are a few quarantine activities to keep you occupied during this uncertain time. 1. Give your vehicle a little TLC Ford has provided these great graphics to help you disinfect your vehicle. While you are at it, check your wipers and tires to see if they need to be replaced. Vacuum out the car and trunk. Have kids? Pull out the car seats to clean underneath.               [...]

Runde Auto Group has been selling vehicles online long before COVID-19, so we are well-prepared to help you buy your next vehicle online from the comfort of your home. No matter what step you are currently at in the buying process, we have the online tools to help you. Step One: Researching Trying to decide between leasing or buying? Read this article or take this quiz. Also check out these current lease prices to help you make a decision. Try this payment calculator to see what monthly payment you might expect so you can plan your budget accordingly. Not sure what vehicle you want? Check out this information on fuel economy, as well as safety. Here’s a look at the difference between trading in [...]

How are your windshield wipers? This rainy weather is a great reminder to replace them if needed! You should replace your wipers if: They are streaking, hazing, clicking, or smearing when wiping the windshield The wipers blades have missing pieces or uneven edges They are pulling away from the windshield Cracks are visible on the wiper blade Pat Timmerman, service manager at Runde Chevrolet, said most people replace their wiper blades annually. “The obvious reason is so they can see well in the rain and snow,” he said. “But also when wiper blades are damaged and chattering on the glass, they can scratch the windshield.” Runde Auto Group has AC Delco wiper blades (Advantage and OE lines), which cost $17.95 and up per blade, plus [...]

Automakers like GM, Ford, and FCA have joined in to help fight the Coronavirus by partnering with other corporations to address shortages of face masks, ventilators, and other medical equipment. GM and Ventec Life Systems, in cooperation with StopTheSpread.org, are collaborating to increase Ventec’s production of respiratory care products, according to this press release. “We are working closely with Ventec to rapidly scale up production of their critically important respiratory products to support our country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mary Barra, GM Chairman and CEO in the press release. “We will continue to explore ways to help in this time of crisis.” Using GM’s logistics, purchasing and manufacturing power will aid Ventec to build more of the respiratory products that are needed across the country during the pandemic. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is manufacturing and donating more than 1 million protective face masks per month. The masks are to be donated to police, [...]

What are the most popular vehicles in the Dubuque area? What paint color is purchased the most? We pulled reports for new vehicle sales at Runde Auto Group – in East Dubuque, IL; Platteville, WI; and Manchester, IA – to get an idea of what drivers prefer. According to the 67th annual Global Automotive Color Popularity Report by Axalta, a coatings company headquartered in Pennsylvania, white is the most popular vehicle color in the world with 38%.  Black and grey follow it with 19% and 13%, respectively. Runde Auto Group’s 2019 new vehicle sales mostly matched those results, with white and black topping the list. Axalta noted that white has been the top automotive color worldwide since 2011. Of last year’s new vehicle sales [...]

Runde Chevrolet salesperson Mark “Flop” Fleege attended the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Sales Academy back in January! Held in Pahrump, Nevada, the class gave Chevrolet salespeople from around the country an opportunity to learn about the new mid-engine Corvette. The two-day academy took place both in the classroom and on the track. “We got to see the bare frame of the new Corvette right next to the frame of the old Corvette so we could compare the two,” Mark said. “It was interesting to learn how they built it and all the new features.” One of the major highlights for Mark was getting to put the pedal to the metal in the 2020 Chevy Corvette Stingray, driving over 100 mph on a track. (video below) “It was awesome, I can’t wait to [...]

6-1-21 UPDATE 7-31-20 UPDATE 5-15-20 UPDATE During the COVID-19 epidemic, now more than ever, cleanliness is of the utmost importance. That’s why we have committed to being a Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC Clean Dealer. We are committed to using enhanced vehicle cleaning measures with CDC-approved cleansers before delivering your vehicle after purchase or service, including cleaning your instrument panel, hard and plastic surfaces, seats, and carpet. We care about you and your vehicle. This is just another way that we go above and beyond to show it.

Chevrolet seems to be hitting the “refresh” button on many of its vehicles lately –and the 2021 Chevy Traverse is next. The newest version of the popular three-row SUV will feature a sculpted, bold appearance reminiscent of the new Chevy Tahoe and Suburbans. “The new Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban has received an overwhelming positive response from consumers,” said Holt Ware, director of Chevrolet exteriors, crossovers and cars, in a press release. “The new design of the 2021 Traverse gains this new commanding appearance and presence we know Traverse owners will appreciate.” Appearance changes include an updated front grille, re-styled front and rear fascias, and four new wheel designs. The family-first Traverse continues its focus on safety, with six safety features now standard on all trim levels, including automatic emergency [...]

Today’s vehicles come with a variety of individualized options, so adding personalized plates is a natural addition. Crafting the perfect message or choosing a meaningful design is a way to make your license plates a reflection of your personality, life, or style, rather than a random set of numbers and letters. Most states allow you to order personalized plates online, which makes it simple to see what is available and pay for them from the comfort of your home.  Find your state below, and pick your plates! Iowa Click here to see the endless options for Iowa specialized plates, including designs for causes like breast cancer awareness, organizations like Ducks Unlimited and the Iowa DNR, jobs like firefighter or EMS, team plates, college or university plates, and military service plates. You can order them online or by mail.

Remember the Hummer? Introduced back in 1992, it was a gas-guzzling machine. Its successor, the first-ever GMC Hummer EV pickup is set to be quite the opposite. Running only on electricity, the GMC Hummer EV SUT will have 1,000 horsepower, 11,50 lb-ft of torque, go 0-60 mph in 3 seconds, and offer exceptional off-road ability. It will be revealed on May 20 with a livestream on gmc.com, which will also introduce the vehicle’s engine specifications and price. Pre-orders will be opened at that time.  GM will start production of the Hummer in September 2021 at its Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant, which is currently being re-tooled to produce electric vehicles. The vehicle will be available at Runde Auto Group in Platteville in the fall of 2021. Another exciting aspect of this “quiet revolution,” is the [...]

The Chevy Equinox is getting a face lift for the 2021 model year. Coming to Runde Auto Group this fall, the refreshed Equinox will feature a more aggressive grille and re-designed front and rear fascia – giving it a stance and appearance similar to the new Chevy Blazer. The 2021 Equinox will debut an all-new RS trim, which gives it a sporty, street-inspired look. It includes a gloss black grille, 19” dark android wheels, black bowties, black badging, black side rails, an RS shift knob, eye-catching red stitching, and black interior upholstery. The vehicle will have available 1.5 or 2.0L turbo engines, 6 or 9-speed auto transmissions, and available AWD. The 2020 Equinox earned the National Highway Traffic Safety [...]

Runde’s is the Best Dealership in the Dubuque Area – Best Fest Winner The dictionary defines the word “best” as follows: noun – that which is the most excellent, outstanding, or desirable.  From a yet more extended point of view, one could sum up that definition simply as “something great that many people want”.  This is likely an important clue as to why Runde Auto Group has blossomed into the largest dealer group in the Tri-States over the past 20 years.    2020 Best Fest Voting A big shout of thanks goes out to the residents of the Tri-State community because after all the votes had been tallied, Runde Auto Group once again stood alone as the titleholder for “Best [...]

This year’s Julien Dubuque International Film Festival fundraising gala will be a groovy good time. “Peace, Love & JDIFF,” a nod to the late 1960s and early 1970s, is set for Saturday, Feb. 8. The fourth annual event will be held at a new venue this year, the Hotel Julien Dubuque Grande Ballroom. It will feature a silent and live auction, as well as a plated dinner. Cocktail hour will be from 6 to 7 p.m., and dinner begins at 7. The suggested attire is funky, colorful, and fun – reminiscent of Woodstock era. “Who says fundraising events have to be stuffy and formal?” said Susan Gorrell, executive director of the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival. “We want this event to capture the spirit of the festival itself: casual, [...]

The first Buick Encore GX recently arrived at Runde Auto Group.  This is a new crossover model with a familiar name.  Is it the same vehicle as the current Buick Encore?  Absolutely not.  The current Encore is a sub-compact SUV.  The Encore GX is an entirely new vehicle that is both longer and wider than the Buick Encore.  In terms of size, the Encore GX is just in between the Envision and the Encore. This attractive little SUV is essentially the Buick version of the upcoming all-new Chevrolet Trailblazer that is due to be released a little later this year. It will be priced at [...]

Runde Auto Group awaits arrival of the new Chrysler Voyager Searching for the perfect budget-friendly family vehicle? Look no further than the 2020 Chrysler Voyager. The Chrysler Voyager, which will arrive at Runde Auto Group this year, replaces the Chrysler Pacifica L and LX models. It offers seven-passenger seating with a starting MSRP of $26,985, making it a minivan with unbeatable value. If the comfort level of the Pacifica van is any indication of what the interior of the Voyager will be like, then this is bound to be a plush van as an a very affordable price.  There will definitely be plenty of room for people and cargo with available second-row quad seats, available second-row storage bins, and third-row Stow ‘N Go seating.

The next-generation of the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL will arrive at Runde Auto Group in Platteville this summer. Bigger and bolder than ever, the new 2021 GMC Yukon will come in SLE, SLT, and Denali trims – and now the first-ever Yukon AT4 (available in late summer 2020)! It will deliver best-in-class 420 horsepower with the new available 6.2L V8 engine (standard on Denali). The engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission offering 460 lb-ft of torque. You will be riding on a cloud with the all-new available Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, which [...]

  The Chevrolet Trailblazer will be reincarnated this spring. The mid-size SUV that was popular in the early 2000s is back with an all-new design for the 2021 model year. Size-wise, the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer will fill a slot between the larger Chevrolet Equinox and the smaller Chevrolet Trax. It’s starting MSRP will be under $20,000. The vehicle features sporty, youthful features like a two-tone roof, taut bodyside lines, a sleek roofline, and a bold hood shape. The Trailblazer’s RS trim level features a black Chevy bowtie and a performance-inspired mesh grille. The ACTIV trim has a larger opening [...]

No adventure is too big for the 2021 GMC Canyon AT4! The all-new vehicle, which will be available at Runde GMC near Dubuque later this year, is a mid-size truck with off-road appeal. “This is a truck created with outdoor adventurers in mind,” said Duncan Aldred, in a press release. “The Canyon AT4 is a perfect complement to the driver’s other passions and appreciation of the details, whether that’s a mountain bike, a snowboard or their truck.” The truck’s bold exterior design, which features dark chrome finishes, a larger grille design, and red recovery hooks, is complemented with GMC’s premium details inside and out. Each Canyon AT4 comes standard with features ready for your active lifestyle: 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires fitted to 17-inch aluminum [...]

                Runde Chevrolet in East Dubuque, IL, and Runde Chevrolet Buick GMC in Platteville, WI, are anxiously awaiting the newest generation of full-size SUVs from Chevrolet. The Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, iconic SUVs that offer a perfect combination of class, comfort, and cargo room, will debut a new look in the 2021 model year. The Tahoe is America’s best-selling full-size SUV, while the Suburban is the longest-running nameplate in automotive history at 85 years. “There are no vehicles like the 2021 Suburban & Tahoe – which have starred in Hollywood movies, carried military heroes and world leaders, and helped create countless family memories,” said Barry Engle, executive vice president and president, General Motors North America, in a press release. “We’ve taken what people love about these pioneering SUVs and made them even better – adding more room for people and cargo, more advanced technology and an unrivaled driving [...]

Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award Winners Kelley Blue Book recently announced the winners of its sixth annual Best Buy Awards! In naming the winning vehicles, they look for “the best combination of quality, comfort, driving dynamics, dependability, low ownership costs and affordability,” according to KBB’s website. Here are the winners we have in stock at Runde Auto Group:   Full Size Pickup Truck: 2020 Ford F-150 This is the sixth time the Ford F-150 has been named among the Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award Winners! Items noted by KBB include: Choice of six engines, including diesel [...]