Amanda Elston from Ossian Iowa loves to help animals. As a mobile veterinarian she needs a reliable truck to hold all of her medicine and equipment. Despite a two hour trip to get to here, Amanda knew that she would find what she was looking for at Runde Auto Group. And we asked her to reflect on her pleasant experience. Where are you from? I’m from Ossian Iowa It’s just South of Decorah, IA. It’s about a three hour drive. My boss and I made the trip. What led you to Runde’s? I’m a veterinarian and I needed a truck for work. I needed a 3/4 ton regular cab, long box truck which was actually really hard to find, but you guys had four or five of them here. Runde’s had the a great selection and options we were looking for so we decided to make the long trip to go here to get [...]

The newest addition to Runde’s proud member of upstanding sales professionals is Kaylin Seffrood from Monroe Wisconsin.  She has valuable experience from working at other automotive shops and has now found her way to Runde’s where she is enjoying selling new Chevrolet vehicles near Dubuque. You’ll find Kaylin always smiling, willing to help, and brightening up whichever room she may be in. We sat down with Kaylin to get to know more about her. Where are you from? Monroe Wisconsin. Born and raised? Born and raised. Where do you live now? I just bought a house in Hazel Green, Wisconsin. I moved there during Independence Day weekend. What brought you to Hazel Green? Initially I came to Hazel Green to work for Dubuque Harley Davidson so I could avoid the [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

I was up at the Runde PreDriven store the other day and I was informed by one of the salesmen that Sammy Hagar was in the house. I thought, ”What an opportunity … we can get a interview with Sammy for the blog … I wonder what he’s looking to purchase?  A Camaro?  A Vette?” I asked where he was.   Chris pointed to Johnny Kramer, who works up at that store and was sportin’ a new hairdo.  It wasn’t the actual Red Rocker, but it was an uncanny resemblance. I took some quick photos of Johnny … errr, I mean Sammy Hagar (You may recall that Johnny was featured previous in a Runde Auto Chat interview back in 2009) and then I went about my business.  A few minutes later there was a big [...]

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!  

Customers often come in after Christmas and ask our Runde Chevrolet Sales Staff how their Christmas celebration was or what they did during the holidays.  Well you don’t have to wonder what our Salesmen did this year.  This year our sales staff put in a lot of extra rehearsal hours during the holidays trying to get this Christmas dance just right and we shot this video on location up at the North Pole.   We hope everyone out there has a safe & happy holiday season!!!

Austin Arensdorff lives about 3-4 minutes away from our PreDriven store where he works in the Reconditioning Department.  He took a little time out to do a quick interview with us and who would have thought that an epic battle was about to erupt at our reconditioning department in Hazel Green? Austin… like Austin Powers, Austin Texas or ostentatious? Uh, Austin Powers I guess?   Groovy baby. If you could be Mike Meyers for a day, what would you do? Spend his money.   Grrrr baby, VERY grrrrrrr.   So what do you do around Runde’s? I buff cars and do the detail work. Yeah baby!  How long have you worked here? Two and a half years. Shagadellic!!  What would you say is [...]

Time Magazine recently published the top 10 most exciting vehicles of the year. Making the list are three vehicle makes that Runde’s offers. Here are the three along with pictures and what Time had to say about them: 1. The Suzuki Kizashi What Time Magazine has to say: “Known for small cars and SUVs, Suzuki makes its first foray into the heart of the U.S. market with the midsize Kizashi sedan. The exterior styling is fresh, and the interior packs cool features such as sporty seats and a nifty instrument cluster that give the car character. The Kizashi’s key asset could be its power train, which includes a new 4-cylinder aluminum engine that can be matched up to either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable automatic transmission. Kizashi won’t go on sale until late fall, and the price is expected to be in the low-$20,000 range. Toyota and Honda better look over [...]

Here is just a sample of how a few recent customers perceive Runde Auto Group.  Check out these Customer Testimonials …   “All employees were very friendly and willing to help.  We were very much pleased with our experience with Runde.” John Mitchell Dubuque, IA   “I purchased a Chevy Colorado from Alan Kloft,  I’ve needed it repaired twice since the purchase.  Both times I have dealt with Pat Timmerman… All I can say about the sale and service experiences is AWESOME!  You guys are GREAT!  Thanks!”  Dave Fangman Dubuque, IA   “I’ve been buying trucks from you guys for eight or ten years.  I don’t do this very often but this is an exception. I just wanted to say that you guys went above and beyond the call of duty while servicing my truck. I had a truck that needed a scratch taken out. When I came in with it [...]

This week I’d like to introduce you to Tim and Maryellen Engelke from Belmont Wisconsin.  Belmont is a town of about 1000 people that is situated in between Platteville and Mineral Point.  It is mainly a rural area, but the village of Belmont, itself, does offer some quaint local business and the residents are friendly people who are always willing to offer a helping hand to those in need … a good example of this is the Engelke family.  Tim Engleke is a is a farmer and his wife Maryellen runs a daycare from out of their farm. They brought with them their two bundles of joy: Christopher and Elsie who were very lively and fun to have around the dealership – a gust of fresh air, as [...]

Dave Hoekstra drove from Chicago to the Dubuque area today to pick up his new truck at Runde Auto Group.  So I hear that you came from Chicago to be here today, how was the ride up here? It was good, left early enough – around 6,  it was quiet. Are you from Chicago? Well yea, just one town west of Chicago. How did you find Runde? After looking around for awhile I found Runde through AutoTrader. What were you looking for? I spotted the Chevy Silverado 1500 Crew Cab so I called and Al Kloft of Runde PreDriven answered the phone. He was very nice and helped me throughout the whole process. That’s great to hear! So where in Chicago are [...]

Following a seemingly satisfying vehicle purchase Jon and Stacy Nash, of Clinton Iowa, gave me the opportunity to get to know them a little better. Below is a transcript of a conversation filled with laughs and smiles.  They are really an awesome, easy-going couple. Hey guys, what are you doing here at Runde’s today? Oh, we just bought a Chevy Tahoe – we saw it listed on autotrader.com then called up and talked to Al who set everything up for us. Al Kloft of Runde Predriven? He’s a character isn’t he? Ha ha, definitely. He’s very nice, a great person. Ah, so what made you interested in the Tahoe? Well we needed a used vehicle that had a bit more room than the two door cars we have to accommodate our family. Do you have kids? Yeah, we have a 20 year old that works, a 14 year old that is in high school and [...]

Check out the most recent reviews from Runde Customers. These reviews come from a variety of sources. Some are from reviews that customers posted online and others are from surveys that were mailed out to customers.  Whatever the case, it seems the word on the street about Runde’s is all good.   My fiance, Don Stadel bought his new truck at Runde’s last October or November …. Looking forward to doing more business with Runde’s…We were so pleased with your service and honesty. It was nice to work with such an awesome team….Don was a Ford man and I changed his mind….CHEVY IS THE BEST !!!! and he is so pleased of his choice….we do BRAG on the choice that we have made….. [...]

Check out this Suzuki Equator walkaround video that was filmed at Runde Auto Group in Hazel Green, WI.  This black Equator is a truck that is sure to turn some heads. The dictionary defines “equator” as an imaginary line that goes around the circumference of the earth. Suzuki defines “Equator” as a non-imaginary truck that will take you practically anywhere you’d like to go on earth. Check out the new Suzuki Equator that recently arrived at Runde Suzuki in Hazel Green, WI:   Equipped with either a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 152 hp and 171 lb-ft of torque or a 4.0-liter V-6 that puts out an impressive 261 hp and 281 lb-ft. 7-year / 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. Available with the RMZ-4 Off-Road Package. Tows up to 6500 lbs. Kelly Blue Book could hardly believe all that the new Equator has to offer. Check out what they recently had to say about it … [...]

The Midwest can have some ‘interesting’ winter driving conditions throughout the seemingly never-ending winter season. It think it would be a lot easier if we all attended the Bridgestone Winter Driving School in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and actually learned how to drive in winter conditions. They have three ice-covered tracks with soft snowbanks to use as learning tools. I think all of us can relate to the crazy All-Wheel Drive vehicles flying past us on the interstate and then finding them in the median about a mile up the road. Or there is the other end of the spectrum…the people who have their white knuckles clenched to the wheel driving 35 mph when there is just a dusting of snow on the road.   Mark Cox is the school director at Bridgestone, and he has provided some tips to making it through the winter in one piece. Cox says when drivers are about to get behind [...]

Can you say big snow storm?  For those of us who thought this winter couldn’t be any worse than last year…I think we probably agree by now that this year could prove us wrong. A snow and ice storm swept across the entire state last night, causing pretty much every school in the state to cancel, and caused a lot of businesses to close. I know it has been pretty quiet in here today…a lot of our workers had trouble getting in to work at all, or they were late because of road conditions and snowed-in vehicles. I talked with a few of the staff members who did make it in, and most, if not all, had 4-wheel drive vehicles, and put them to [...]

More than 335,000 Americans are employed by the Big 3 Automakers in our country, and Runde Auto Group employs over 120 people in the Tri-State Area. One out of ten people in America are employed in a service that is related to the U.S. auto industry. Please show your support:   and select “I’m a Concerned American” or call: (866) 874-9356!   Imagine what the lack of competition will do the the cost of your next vehicle….no matter what the make is.  The lack of any new domestic makes, will force Americans to buy new imports or used vehicles.  Every American should ask themselves: Will I have to wait longer for my new vehicle because there is a backorder on parts for it?  Will I have to pay substantially more than the suggested list price or book value because of a possible vehicle shortage?   If we were to lose the Big 3, [...]

Tressa Miller works in the office of our PreDriven dealership in Hazel Green, Wisconsin. She handles titles, processes deals, and answers the phones. I sat and talked with her for a few minutes today, and here is what she had to say!   Runde Auto Chat: How long have you worked at Runde’s? Tressa Miller: 6 years Runde Auto Chat: What do you like best about your job? Tressa Miller: I don’t know…I like everything about it. There isn’t really a part I don’t like. RAC: Who is your favorite NASCAR driver? TM: Gordon (As I notice the Gordon jacket hanging on the back of her chair) RAC: How many races have you been to? TM: 8, most of them were at Chicago Speedway RAC: Who will you cheer for when Gordon retires? TM: Whoever is racing for Hendrick Motorsports…just that whole team. RAC: What do you want for Christmas this year? TM: I haven’t really [...]

The Runde PreDriven dealership up by the Three Mile House Supper Club has a new vehicle on the premises: the Suzuki Carry. Imported from Japan, these quality off-road 4WD mini-trucks can be used in the United States as farm utility vehicles, ranch trucks, and hunting vehicles. They can be used on golf courses, in parks, at campgrounds, resorts, schools, municipalities, for nursery/landscaping businesses and more. The uses for these tough little trucks are seemingly endless. Right now only used ones can be purchased in the US. New ones haven’t been mass-imported to the US yet, but if they do ever get here in large numbers, watch out for the Carry! The Carry is used to haul our water tanks for washing vehicles and other equipment needed on the lot. The Carry [...]

What do you think of when you hear the phrase, “I’m going to lunch”?   If you immediately think of a 4000 mile round trip to a burger joint, then you’re not alone.  Many of us leave the office for our half hour or hour long lunch breaks, which is usually acceptable. I frequently drive 5 blocks home to eat lunch and let my dogs out. An Assistant Editor in Ann Arbor, Michigan had a different idea for his lunch.  Sam Smith’s Thursday started out as a fairly normal day. He was at work, and all of a sudden, he decides he needs a burger. Ok, fine, Ann Arbor probably has about 50 different burger joints to choose from, except he needs a specific burger…from a West Coast ONLY restaurant chain, In-N-Out Burger. From Ann Arbor, the closest location is in Prescott, Arizona, approximately 1900 miles away. He decided to call his buddy from [...]

As much as we hate to admit it, winter is around the corner, which means very cold weather and lots of snow (especially in Runde country). Have you thought about what you need to do to winterize your vehicle? There is a lot more to it than most people think. I have compiled a checklist for you to use. Bad winter road conditions can sneak up on us if we aren’t careful, so start thinking about it early!   To Do List Before Winter Comes!   Make sure your brakes are equalized and not pulling to one side. Flush out your cooling system and put anti-freeze in. Check containers, belts, hoses, pressure caps, and thermostat. Make sure battery connections are clean and tight. Check your engine for faulty wiring, worn out spark plugs, sticking choke or emission control devices. These make it difficult for your vehicle to start. Check the [...]

Many people call us for service work, but don’t really get to know the people actually doing the dirty work. Jeff Mohr is one of the guys in our Hazel Green service department. I took a few minutes of his time…well, actually I wasted it, but he got over it quickly! Runde Auto Chat: Do you have any hobbies or interests? Jeff Mohr: I like to play electric guitar. RAC: Any siblings or significant others? JM: I have two sisters.   RAC: Are you married yet? JM:  I do have a girlfriend.  Her name is Linsey. RAC: Did you grow up around here? JM: Yes, in Dubuque over by Hempstead High School. RAC: What kind of car do you drive?                                          JM: 1991 Jeep Wrangler RAC: What would you do with a million dollars? JM: Take the PreDriven staff on a cruise…(Remember this guys…you may want to redeem at a later date!) RAC: If you were stuck [...]

The new name for the satellite radio feature that most of us have in our cars is now Sirius XM Satellite Radio.  The executives of Sirius and XM radio announced the completion of the company merger on July 29th, 2008. There is much excitement surrounding the company’s future, and both parties are foreseeing great things for them in the future. The merged company is known as Sirius XM Radio, and both brands will continue to operate as they have, as two separate entities. They are in the process of creating some new packages that combine stations from both XM and Sirius. They will offer “Best Of” package that contains premium stations from both providers. Also, the “Mostly Music” and “Sports/News/Talk” packages will combine stations from both as well. Any receivers already in circulation as well [...]

We’ve reached the middle of summer, the time of year people are spending time on the river or in the pool and that means local restaurants are busy too as people don’t want to spend a lot of time inside cooking over a hot stove.  But you have to watch out when you start eating out a lot.  It’s easy to pack on a few extra pounds when you eat out more than you should.  I know a few people at Runde are starting diets or have been on them for a while. Chris Anderson of Runde PreDriven started the Atkins diet a couple weeks ago, and Chris said he feels like it is working for him.  Summer is also a very busy time for people, and eating out can become a habit. What most people don’t realize is that one meal at a chain restaurant can account for a whole day’s calories. They [...]