This is the second installment of our #RundeMomReviews series. If you would like to contribute a vehicle review, email marketing@rundeautogroup.com. Molly and Ryan Wernimont’s 2021 Chevy Blazer RS AWD has a head-turning sleek and sporty exterior, plus a roomy interior perfect for cargo and their son Ryder’s car seat. Here’s Molly’s Chevy Blazer review: Working at the dealership as a Finance & Insurance Manager, I see all the new incoming units all the time. Ever since I heard the all-new Chevy Blazer was coming back out, I’ve had my eye on it. Growing up, my parents used to have a Blazer so it is kind of special to me. I finally pulled the trigger and traded my Equinox for the 2021 Chevy Blazer RS, and I am so glad that I [...]

Reflections in the Park has become a Dubuque tradition.  The annual light festival, which raises funds for Hillcrest Family Services, runs Nov. 26 through Jan. 3 at Louis Murphy Park in Dubuque. The price is $10 per vehicle at the gate. (Discounted tickets for $8 are available at all DB&T banking centers as well as Hillcrest locations.) There will also be a one-night-only walk through event from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25. The cost is the same and children 3 and under are free. Each person requires a ticket for the walk through. Runde Auto Group is proud to be a continued sponsor for this event. As you make your way through the park, watch out for our Chevrolet Silverado display, along with the many unique light displays from other area businesses and lighted memorials for loved ones in [...]

Runde Auto Group is proud to be a driving force behind the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival. The 2018 festival is set for April 26-29 in downtown Dubuque. All films are free on Runde Free Day, Thursday, April 26. See you at the fest! A red carpet screening of the film High & Outside: A Baseball Noir, starring Ernie Hudson, Phil Donlon, and Geoffrey Lewis will close the seventh annual Julien Dubuque International Film Festival. The event will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 29, at Phoenix Theatres, 555 John F. Kennedy Rd. Tickets are $10 per person. High & Outside director Evald Johnson and lead actor Phil Donlon will be in attendance to discuss the film and answer audience questions following the screening. “Events like this are what make [...]

Dubuque’s Film Festival is just a couple weeks away! We are proud to say that Runde Auto Group has been a major sponsor from the start of the festival back in 2012. More than 35 films will be screened Thursday-Sunday, April 23-26. Venues include Stan’s Coffeehouse, Vinny Vannuchi’s, Holiday Inn Rooms 1, 2, and 3, Five Flags Orpheum, Five Flags Majestic, Dubuque Museum of Art, National Mississippi River Museum, Eronel, and Platinum Insurance. There will be fewer films and venues than there were in previous years – a decision that first-year executive director Susan Gorrell said will improve the festival experience, making it easier for attendees to plan a festival viewing schedule. Another major change in this year’s festival regards ticketing. Rather than purchasing a ticket for a specific showing of a certain film, [...]

Runde Chevrolet got a blast from the past when Bob Kinsella pulled into the lot in his 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS with a 396. The vehicle, with its frost green exterior and dark green vinyl top and interior, was purchased from Paul Runde at Runde Chevrolet back in 1968. The cost for the special order at the time was just $4,165.90. Its original receipt itemizes features the vehicle included, like a clock for $15, the vinyl top for $89, the rear window defroster for $22 and bucket seats for $121. The 375 horsepower 396 engine, which [...]

Runde GMC in Platteville becomes a Reality Press Release 12-24-12 Runde Auto Group is pleased to announce the acquisition of Mound View Motors in Platteville, WI from Mr. Everett Gillilan.  Everett “Honest Todd” has been in the car business over 60 years and we wish him well. The operations will combine with those of our Cuba City Buick location and all employees from that location will remain with us in Platteville.  Most of the employees from the Mound View operation will be retained as well. We sincerely regret the impact this may have on the city of Cuba City.  We are hoping to soon find another use for the facility; we are currently looking at outside options as well as within our organization.  The Cuba City operation was successful for over ten years.  [...]

Nick Roche is one of our newest sales associates at our Chevrolet Store in East Dubuque, IL.  Nick knows all about quality – he looks for it in an artist’s exhibit, craves for that flavor of perfection in a dish, and offers the best of quality to his customers. Nick Roche can tell you where to eat, what wine is the best, what exhibits you shouldn’t miss and what deals you just can’t beat. The following interview inherits a bit about Nick and his likes. Welcome to Runde’s Nick. So, what made you want to be a salesman? I had previous sales experience selling golf equipment. It’s all about figuring out what people need and want. I also wanted to stay around the area because I like it here and all my friends and girlfriend [...]

Needless to say that this new design for the new Ford Fusion has been very well received at the Chicago Auto Show this week and people’s comments have been very favorable toward it.  The video below was shot by Runde Auto Group  — The noise in the background of the vid was coming from the new Shelby Mustang presentation across the room and we’ll post the video of that soon.  People were definitely all a-buzz about the Shelby, but this new Fusion is definitely gorgeous. The new Ford Fusion design is only about 1 inch longer and 1/2 inch wider than the previous Fusion, but it looks a lot longer than its predecessor mainly due to an extended wheelbase that’s almost 5 inches longer than the 2012 version.  A new inline 4-cylinder 1.6 Liter EcoBoost engine will be available on the all-new Fusion.  And this optional turbo engine will produce 179 horsepower and 172 lb-ft [...]

The Sustainable Dubuque conference took place this week at the Grand Harbor Convention Center and it was a complete success.  What do you think of when you hear the word sustainable?  Nowadays we toss around the word “green” so frequently because the word itself has become hip, chic or very forward thinking, yet it’s actually somewhat difficult to define what being “green” totally encompasses in its true and purest essence.  Sustainability is one of the core components of being “green” – direct definition (from www.merriam-webster.com):” a : of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged.”  It’s using, and re-using, our resources to make environmentally sound methods for production of practically anything that will help us improve quality of life and earth. The best of the best in terms of sustainability in vehicles was realized by GM with the recent release [...]

Go to the Gary’s Graffiti Nights Car Show and you will see people who share a passion for the classics glowing and having a great time as they share stories and chit chat with fellow enthusiasts. The show started back in the early 1980’s by a man named Gary Duster of Dubuque, IA.   Gary is a classics fan who wanted to share his love of the classics with the Tri-State community. As of late, the show has moved to East Dubuque, IL where it seems to have found a perfect home. We got a hold of George Young, former owner of George & Dales restaurant and current Mayor of East Dubuque. With the help of his son and the support of the community, George gets things in order [...]

In the short amount of time I spent with David and Jan Rafoth customers from Dubuque, I could tell that they have led interesting lives. And what constitutes an “interesting life” you may ask? For starters, how about stepping on a bomb and living to tell the story? Not enough for you? … Well add-on finding out where you are going to live based on a nice random car ride. Read on, hopefully you are as entertained by their stories as I was listening to them. How did you hear about Runde’s? Well we were looking to trade our car and we had previous experience with Runde’s and Al Kloft and we were treated right the last time we were here.  [...]

One of our relatively recent additions to the Runde team is Mariah Diedrich. We just about caused mass mayhem by dragging her away from her phone, but Mariah gladly took a few moments to allow us to get to know her a little better. How long have you worked for Runde’s and what  do you do here? Um, it’ll be going on a year.  I can’t remember if I was hired in August or September.  I work in the accounting department and do accounts payable. What’s the best thing about your job? The people I work with.  Except for Becky.   We understand.  What is the worst thing about your job? Being interviewed by those annoying blog people.  Just kidding … I’d probably have to say Becky. Do you have a favorite spot in the Tri-State area? I live in Shullsburg about 40 minutes away in Wisconsin, so it’s like [...]

If you follow the Runde Blog, you may recall a story that we ran back in the spring of this year about Mardy Gilyard, who purchased a new 2010 Camaro SS from Runde Chevrolet.  At that time, he had finished up at the University of Cincinnati, where he starred as a wide receiver and kick returner.  He was on his way to the NFL Draft Combine where he would show NFL scouts just what he was made of.   Everyone in Cincinnati and his home state of Florida already knew that Mardy was a world-class athlete and at the NFL Combine (an invite-only event) back in February, he put his talent on display for the rest of the world to see.   The St. Louis Rams took particular notice of him and, after they took Sam Bradford as the [...]

Today we had the pleasure of getting to know a family who recently bought a Chrysler Town & Country van from us. Sharon, Darlene, Alex, Emily and Gavin took a few moments to share their experience with us.  We give you … the Riesselman Family. How did you find Runde Auto Group and this Chrysler Town & Country? We found you guys on the internet. Your website was very easy to navigate and we easily found what we wanted. I really like how you can narrow by the year, model and mileage, it makes it really easy to find what you are looking for. Where is the first place you’ll take your new Chrysler Town & Country van? Darlene: Home to see [...]

We sat down this morning and had a quick chat with the highly energetic and ever-ambitious Brandon Hanger. Brandon has been working nights at Runde Chevrolet for the past four years (He comes in with his mom and dad after hours and helps with facility maintenance). We were so impressed with his professional drive that we immediately added him to our sales staff. He wound up selling four new cars today and he’s already decided to put the commission money away for his retirement.  We seriously need to clone this kid.    

How did you find Runde Auto Group and this particular vehicle? Through Al Kloft.  I told him what I was looking for and he went and found it for me. I bought a Trailblazer and my brother bought a vehicle from Al not too long ago too. Why did you decide to purchase it here?  Because I found what I liked and because I’ve known Al for a long time.  He’s a family friend so I trusted him. And I liked it so I said yeah I’d buy it.   Where is the first place you’ll take your new car? I don’t know … probably work. Really? Yeah I have have work at 9 o’clock tonight.   Where do you work at? At The Barn in Sherrill Iowa — it’s a bar and a restaurant up there. I used to go up to the barn a long time ago — we [...]

Everyone loves pizza, right?  And possibly the only thing people like better than pizza is … a big pizza. C’mon, let’s face it … you can beat a big pizza.  Big fish … nope.  Big burger … sorry.  Big pizza … most definitely.      Some of the beefier men here at Runde’s went on a journey the other day. A journey of self-discovery, testing the limits of themselves and their stomach’s, a journey that only Luigi’s Big Pizza Baby in Dubuque, IA could provide. They supplied us with the biggest pizza that I, and several others, have ever seen with a whopping 30″ in diamater! The following video is a document of the momentous day that was Lunch from Luigi’s Pizza … Enjoy!  

TESTIMONIALS FROM RUNDE’S CUSTOMERS We are very very pleased with our Chevy Traverse that we recently purchased from Runde Auto Group. It is by far one of the most comfortable vehicles I have ever driven. We have been on 3 road trips and love how it handles the road!! Sure hope this Traverse lasts us a long time! We love it!!!! Thank you for making it possible when we came to see you!! I also want you to know how impressed we are with Runde’s! Awesome people and awesome service! Keep it up! Take care! Paul and Ellen S. of Dubuque, IA We still have the Jeep Commander and all is well with it. Best vehicle and experience we’ve [...]

Ed Whitacre, the CEO of General Motors, announced that GM has paid back all of the borrowed money in full to the government with interest. This gigantic announcement demonstrates a level of confidence within the company that has surfaced mainly due to a slimmed down product line, a more refined company focus, and exciting new products like the Chevy Equinox, the Chevy Camaro, and the Buick LaCrosse that are selling almost as quickly as they arrive on dealers’ lots. With this move, they are basically saying that they wholeheartedly believe GM is now on the right track to profitability. And here at Runde Auto Group, we know without-a-doubt that GM is back on track and ready for the road ahead. The tank is full, the engine is humming, and the GPS is set … Destination … Success.  It’s full speed ahead for Chevrolet, Buick and GMC.  

Goog411 is definitely the new rage We used to have a trainer from GM that would go around to various dealerships in the area and teach the salespeople how to do better vehicle walk-arounds and essentially sell more cars in the process.  Every time he was on the verge of touching on a unique feature of a car, he would foreshadow it with the phrase, “OK, now I’m going to put some money in your pocket.”  This usually meant that the car had a unique key feature that no other competitor had on their vehicles and it was going to help you sell more cars and thus — the money in the pocket thing. Now I’m going to put some money in your pocket.  Are you sick of getting charged beaucoup $$$ every time you dial 411 or Directory Assistance to get a phone number when you’re on the go.  Not everyone has [...]

Testimonials from Runde Auto Group Customers I have bought more trucks off of Runde than you got teeth.  I am telling you the truth.  Tim Runde is in his establishment.  There isn’t a finer dealership around here.  I am 63 years old and I have bought new trucks since 1977, every year.  So you figure that out.  I don’t have any problems with Runde or their dealership.  If there was a problem in the past, I went out there and they took care of it, no questions, no hassle.  It was done.  They are good, that is why they are as big as they are. Melvin D. – East Dubuque, IL      This is just a short note to thank you for the wonderful service we received when we were there to purchase our new truck.  [...]

I came across this child safety seat tutorial video and like it a lot. There’s nothing entertaining here … it’s just S-A-F-E-T-Y. Straightforward, plain and simple, but it’s also pretty comprehensive. It demonstrates how to install a front facing type of car seat. I have installed a car seat or two in my day and I really never thought to put your full weight on the seat or base like the demonstrator does in the video. I have pressed down on the seats and bases in an effort to get them tight and synched up, but seeing the video it makes sense and I’ll probably try to tighten up my car seats when I go home tonight. I know that a lot of car sales people take car seats for granted, but it is really not something that shouldn’t be overlooked. In my opinion, a lot of car salespersons would benefit from viewing a child [...]

Marty Frank is first and foremost a Cubs fan.  He’s also one of the truly dedicated worker who spends his days prepping and cleaning all of the new vehicles that drive off the Runde Chevrolet lot here in East Dubuque. We interrupted Marty’s work for a few minutes to have him answer a couple of our questions. RAC: What do you do here at Runde’s?   MF: I work in the wash rack cleaning up all of the new cars, keeping Lenny out of trouble, and trying to convert him to being a Cubs fan. How long have you worked here? Three years and still going. What is your favorite part about working here? Any time they bring in pizza for us or put together potluck dinners and that kind of stuff, the food is just so good. Are you originally from the area? Yeah, but I moved here from Santa Cruz, CA when I [...]

John Riley, who manages our Chevy Sales Department, received the following email message from the husband of Kathie Thor this week.  Hi John: Here’s a few photos for your scrap book. Thanks for all your help with Kathie’s Christmas Surprise. She had no idea I had made a deal with you for a new vehicle. There was a lot of excitement at the Thor household Christmas morning. Thanks again, Randy Randy Thor of Cuba City, WI surprised his better half, Kathie Thor, with a sophisticated new set of wheels.  He grabbed some quick photos of Kathie beside her new ride (my guess is that he didn’t have to ask her to smile).  Kathie was completely caught off guard by the new Chevy Equinox that was waiting for her at home and the Thor’s had a very Merry X-Mas.  [...]

We sat down for a few minutes and did a customer interview with Dan Schaefer from Dubuque, IA.   Dan serves in the Air Force and is now the proud owner of a Chevy Malibu and he bought the car from Runde PreDriven while he was on paid leave from his base in Texas! Enjoy the video!