The all-new 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is set to go on sale this fall! With a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine producing more than 700 horsepower, the vehicle is capable of 0-60 mph in just over 3 seconds. “A takedown artist, the new 2020 Shelby GT500 will surprise supercar owners with its Ford Performance racing tech, supercharged engine, and visceral swagger,” said Jim Farley, Ford President of Global Markets, in a press release. The first Shelby GT500 was recently auctioned off for $1.1 million to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Craig Jackson, chairman/CEO of Barrett-Jackson, was the winning bidder. The vehicle is the most powerful street-legal Ford ever with sub-11 minute quarter-mile scores. It has the best cornering and largest brakes of any domestic sports coupe. “With its supercar-level powertrain, the all-new Shelby GT500 takes the sixth-generation Mustang to a performance [...]

Choosing a drivetrain for a vehicle you’re looking to purchase can seem complicated.  The drivetrain you eventually select depends on a lot of factors including: the amount of money you’re looking to spend and what geographic area you live in. For those that live in an area like the tri-states where winter makes traveling tough, a common question among vehicle buyers is which drivetrain is best for their needs. The differences between all-wheel drive (AWD), four-wheel drive (4WD/4×4), front-wheel drive (FWD), and rear-wheel drive (RWD) can be confusing. Front-wheel drive is exactly what it sounds like, the engine’s power is routed to the front wheels. Most sedans are front-wheel drive. Rear-wheel drive, which is typically used in high performance vehicles and trucks, sees the engine’s power routed to the rear wheels. It provides better traction if you are pulling a heavy load, but provides less [...]

Traveling with pets in your vehicle can be a tricky balancing act whether you are taking Fido to run an errand, bringing Garfield to see the family over the holidays, or toting the whole gang on a road trip.  Whenever you’re traveling with pets, you should always make preparations for your pet’s comfort and safety. Many of our staff members have pets of their own, so we asked them for their best tips for traveling with pets! Safety When pets are not properly restrained, they can roam the vehicle, causing a distraction. Some states even require that dogs are restrained during travel. Luckily, there are many options, including harnesses and restraints, pet carriers, and cargo barriers. **Never let a pet ride in the front seat as they can be seriously injured or [...]

The Blazer is back! The first all-new Chevy Blazer has landed at Runde Chevrolet in East Dubuque, IL and it is a STUNNER. Many people in the Dubuque area remember the last generation of the Chevy S-10 Blazer.  It was such a nice-riding vehicle with a quality build.  The exterior was definitely sharp-looking and the interior had seats that were placed lower to the floor than other SUV’s from that time so it often gave owners the feel like they were driving a car.  Of course they still had the comfort of knowing that they were riding around in a fully-capable frame-on-body 4-wheel-drive vehicle and Dubuque Chevrolet owners very much appreciated that in regards to the Blazer because they knew they could navigate the hills and valleys of Dubuque [...]

The Runde Car Wash might be the best form of rust prevention in the Dubuque area this winter! While it’s been a mild winter so far in and around Dubuque, there’s still plenty of salt and brine on the roads from icy days. Both can cause damage to the body and undercarriage of your vehicle over time and if there’s one thing that strikes fear into the hearts of Dubuque Chevrolet owners, it’s the possibility of rust taking a hold of their vehicle. But there are precautions you can take against rust and corrosion. Most importantly, wash your car often. There’s a reason you see lines at the car washes in town when the weather warms up after a snow storm. Washing that salt off [...]

The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival will once again put the “fun” in fundraising with its third annual gala, set for Saturday, February 16 in the Harbor Room at Diamond Jo Casino. “As Time Goes By: A JDIFF Hollywood Night” invites you to walk back through the romance and glamour of the fabulous forties with a nod to Casablanca’s Rick’s Café along the way. The suggested attire will be 1940’s vintage glam – reminiscent of the Bogart, Bergman and Bacall era. The event will include a silent auction, live auction, and plated dinner. Peckosh Pediatric Dentistry will be hosting a complimentary cocktail hour from 6 to 7 p.m.  Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Tickets are $100 per person and $900 per table [...]

Ready to rock in the new year with the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra? The Dubuque Symphony Orchestra will again join forces with local rock bands to present a symphonic rock experience! The Ultimate Rock Hits Concert is set for 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 18 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19 at the Mississippi Moon Bar in Diamond Jo Casino. Runde Auto Group is proud to be the exclusive sponsor of this Dubuque Symphony Concert!    The concert will feature chart toppers from the 1970s to today. Previously they have performed covers of legendary songs from groups like Aerosmith, Van Halen, The Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin. Performers from local bands will include Joie Wails, Boogie Monster, Few Blind Mice, Tete de [...]

Runde’s has the largest selection of used cars and trucks around the Lancaster, WI area. Just 8.5 miles South on Highway 81 is our Chevrolet, Buick, GMC store in Platteville, WI. Anyone from the Lancaster area is under a 15-minute drive to see our selection of over 300 used cars and trucks. Lancaster, WI residents will enjoy our selection of used car makes from all kinds of Manufacturers such as Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Toyota and Subaru, to name a few. We are also proud to offer a wide selection of Certified Pre-Owned vehicles for our Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Ford, Chrysler, Dodge, Jee [...]

Used cars and trucks are very sought-after year-round in the Dubuque area and Runde Auto Group has been providing the Tri-State area with quality pre-owned vehicles for more than 95 years.  For many years, people have shopped our vehicles in newspapers and other local advertisements (the Shopping News was a popular one and the Dubuque Advertiser was another popular go-to source for printed used vehicle ads back in the 1990's and early 2000's), but nowadays more people are taking their phones out of their pocket to search for used cars, trucks and SUV’s from Runde Auto Group.  And that's the reason Runde's has optimized their website (without a lot of the annoying pop-ups you see on other dealers sites) allowing people to easily complete most of the buying process before they even drive to Runde's physical location.  Just Two Miles Outside of Dubuq [...]

Is it a Jeep? Is it a truck? It’s BOTH! The all-new 2020 Jeep Gladiator, set to arrive in dealerships soon, is a bit of a hybrid between a Jeep Wrangler and a pickup truck. The vehicle is a reincarnation of the Jeep Gladiator truck built from 1963 to 1987. (Check out this history of Jeep trucks) The new mid-size pickup offers best-in-class towing (7,650 pounds) and 4×4 payload capacity (1,600 pounds), as well as composed on-road driving dynamics and passenger safety. The truck is at home when its off-road thanks to Command-Trac and Rock-Trac 4×4 systems, third-generation Dana 44 axles, Tru-Lock electric front and rear-axle lockers, Trac-Lok limited slip differential, segment-exclusive sawy-bar disconnect, and 33-inch off-road tires. It will be available in four trims: Sport, Sport S, Overland, and Rubicon. “Unquestionably a truck and instantly recognizable as a Jeep, the all-new 2020 Gladiator is the ultimate vehicle for any outdoor adventure,” said Tim Kuniskis, [...]

Motor Trend Awards were recently announced for 2019 vehicle(s) “Of the Year” and Jeep and Ram vehicles had a big showing! The 2019 Jeep Wrangler was named SUV of the Year, while the Ram 1500 was named Truck of the Year. “The Jeep Wrangler and Ram 1500 are significant products at FCA; concurrently winning Motor Trend’s SUV of the Year and Truck of the Year titles is a proud accomplishment, and a testament to the capability and determination of our employees,” said Mike Manley, Chief Executive Officer of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, in a press release. The awards also recognized the late Sergio Marchionne, former FCA CEO, as the 2019 Person of the [...]

The 2020 Chevy Silverado HD is coming! The most capable and advanced Silverado ever, it will also be the third all-new Silverado model from Chevy in just 18 months. “We know the needs and priorities of heavy-duty customers are different than those of either light-duty or medium-duty customers,” said Jaclyn McQuaid, chief engineer, Silverado HD, in a press release. “As such, we built a heavy-duty truck tailor-made for them that has more differentiation than ever before from light-duty models, offers advanced towing technologies to improve towing confidence, and includes new features such as the integrated Bedstep, which makes it easier to access the bed while pulling a fifth-wheel trailer.” Built in Flint, Michigan, the 2020 Chevy Silverado HD exterior shares only the roof with the Silverado 1500 – every other [...]

The staff of Runde Ford Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Manchester came to the aid of a feathered visitor today after it flew into the dealership’s showroom windows. This beautiful cardinal was sitting on the cement by the door after its fall.  It was dazed and confused and at the mercy of whoever would happen upon it.  Luckily for this little warbler, he/she eventually fell into the hands of Keeli Runde. “I scooped him up and he sat in my hand just looking dazed like he didn’t know what was going on,” said Keeli, the office coordinator and title clerk at Runde Ford Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. After a few minutes, she took the bird behind the dealership and held it near a tree branch. “He climbed up by himself and then sat there [...]

Runde Auto Group is excited to announce its FIFTH annual Holiday Bake Sale! Plus, Runde Chevrolet Buick GMC in Platteville is joining in to host its first Holiday Bake Sale this year! Each year, our generous staff members prepare delicious baked goods that we sell in the showroom. All funds raised (PLUS a match by Runde Auto Group) are donated to help a few local families in need have a brighter holiday season. Last year’s East Dubuque bake sale raised more than $2,500, which was then matched by Runde Auto Group. The money was donated to help six families in the East Dubuque School District and benefited the East Dubuque Food Pantry. We are hoping to continue the momentum this holiday season. Please [...]

The 24th annual Dubuque Reflections in the Park is back!   The lights festival that raises money for Hillcrest Family Services saw a record-setting year last year, raising more than $148,000. Nearly 14,000 vehicles drove through the park.   “The Dubuque Reflections in the Park absolutely could not happen without our amazing volunteers,” said Darlene Bolsinger, Reflections in the Park coordinator. “Their time, talent, and dedication is outstanding.”   Open 5-10 p.m. daily Nov. 22 through Jan. 1 at Louis Murphy Park in Dubuque, this year’s event features many new light displays. Runde Auto Group is a proud sponsor of the Silverado display!  

It’s that time of the year again – time for the Ginter Family Thanksgiving, now called the Dubuque Community Free Thanksgiving Dinner! Genny Ginter stopped in today to pick up the Community Support Truck and start preparations for the 57th Ginter Family Thanksgiving. They will be serving eighty-eight 25-pound turkeys to more than 2,000 people this year – including making deliveries to sick, shut-in, and elderly people in the community. The tradition was started by Genny’s late mother, Donna Ginter. “We were at 2,100 last year, so we are shooting for 2,200 people this year,” Genny said. “We start cooking the turkeys on Monday.” The sit-down dinner will be 12:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving – Thursday, Nov. 22 – at the Joliet Event Center, 781 Locust St. in Dubuque. Each year, Genny uses the Community Support Truck, a [...]

It’s that time of year again … National Name Your Car Day. Do you have a name for your car?  If so, then what do you call your vehicle? If you are like most people, you refer to it as “Baby,” or some other two-syllable name beginning with a B. In honor of “National Name Your Car Day,” Cars.com surveyed drivers, finding 53 percent of American drivers who name their cars use a name starting with the letter B. Of those drivers who name their vehicle, 70 percent are men. * According to the survey, these are the top 10 most popular car names: 1. Baby 2. Betsy 3. Ruby 4. Betty 5. Beast 6. Max 7. Bertha 8. Pearl 9. Frank 10. Christine

Nate Elder:  Manager of the Runde Reconditioning Department   Some people collect photographs to remember specific moments in their lives. Nate Elder, reconditioning manager at Runde PreDriven, collects shoes. He has about 25 boxes of unopened shoes in his closet at home right now – some have been there for years. “Each one has a story and a memory attached to it,” Nate said. “I have a pair that I bought in 2003, that’s one of my older pairs.” He recently opened a pair of DC Pure XEs because he had worn out the DC Mikey Moes he had been wearing. Working in the PreDriven washrack area means his shoes get dirty and wet – so he is very aware of that when choosing shoes. “I went through the collection [...]

The all-new 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500 is HERE! One hundred years after the first Silverado was delivered in 1918, the next-generation Silverado was created with feedback from more than 7,000 customers on what they wanted in their next truck. “With the all-new Silverado, we’ve taken the best truck on the road and made it even better,” said Mark Reuss, General Motors executive vice president of Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain in a press release. “It has a longer wheelbase, more passenger and cargo volume, and yet, thanks to our mixed materials strategy and mass reduction expertise, the new truck is 450 pounds lighter than the current model.” The Silverado’s grille and headlights are completely refreshed, and Chevrolet is stamped across the truck’s rear bumper. The Z71 Crew Cab model features twin chrome tailpipes.

Dubuque non-profit Opening Doors aims to take care of women with no place to go while helping them to get them back on their feet. “Opening Doors’ story started in 2000 with a homeless woman on a park bench with no place to stay,” said Ann Lorenz, development and marketing director of Opening Doors. “Since that time, we have empowered over 3,300 women and children, teaching them life skills to help them build a brighter future for their families.” The Opening Doors Organization, which operates Teresa Shelter, Maria House, and the Francis Apartments, provides shelter and life and job skills training for women in the Tri-State area. Maria House provides transitional housing for residents up to two years, while Teresa Shelter offers short-term emergency shelter services and an [...]

Jim and Angie Mullen, of Mays Landing, New Jersey, flew in to pick up their 2017 Chevrolet Express 12-passenger van from Runde Chevrolet in East Dubuque! The couple worked with nine dealers in their area, but none had a van with the features they were looking for. “This van had all the options I wanted, which was basically all the options,” Jim said. “It had the locking differential, a cold weather package, and a six-way power seat, which comes in handy since Angie is a much shorter person than I am.” They appreciated transparent and understandable sales process of Runde Auto Group, along with the salesperson’s helpfulness along the way. “He was very easy to work with and even got us an [...]

Voices Productions has taken to the streets of Dubuque once again to add color and life to buildings around the city. Last year, the organization suspended its 11-year tradition of Millwork District gallery shows to embark on a public art project. The result was 18 large scale new murals in Dubuque.  See the 2017 murals here.   The group is setting out to complete nine more in 2018, bringing the total to 27.  So far two are in progress or completed: one on the Steve’s Ace Hardware building at 200 S. Locust St., and one at 1638 Central Ave. Many others are planned for Central Avenue. “The difference between this year is that property owners are reaching out to us, asking to participate in the mural initiative by requesting a mural on their wall and offering to pay for it,” said Sam Mulgrew, president of Humanities Iowa and one of the five directors of Voices Productions. [...]

Please join us in welcoming Brian Oswald to the sales staff at Runde Chevrolet Buick GMC in Platteville! Brian recently moved from Cuba City to Platteville.  He previously worked in the mortgage industry. “I have always wanted to sell cars and trucks,” he said. “You get to meet a lot of people and I have always heard Runde’s has a great reputation.” He is excited to sell from Runde Auto Group’s inventory of more than 1,650 vehicles. “I have always tried to make sure the customer has a positive experience and I pride myself on delivering great customer service, which means helping people meet their needs in a way that is efficient, pleasant, and informative,” he said. In his spare time, Brian enjoys coaching basketball, playing tennis, watching all [...]

We are pleased to announce that Rick Petitgout has joined the sales staff at Runde Chevrolet in East Dubuque! Rick has been in the automotive industry for 17 years and has been selling vehicles for 14 years. “It is not a car buying experience, it is a relationship-building experience,” he says. “I’m excited to be a part of Runde Auto Group and am looking forward to many, many, many years of building successful relationships.” Originally from East Dubuque, Rick lives in Asbury with his wife Marjorie, his four-year-old daughter Ariana, and their two miniature dachshunds. In his free time, Rick enjoys golfing, cheering on Notre Dame football, the Chicago Cubs, and the San Francisco 49ers. “I’m also a self-proclaimed chef on my Big Green Egg grill,” he says. Rick, whose nickname [...]

The all-new 2019 Buick Envision has arrived at Runde Chevrolet Buick GMC in Platteville, WI. The re-designed luxury SUV has a new grille, sculpted front and rear, and new wheel choices. “Some of the 2019 Envision’s most notable changes are the results of listening to our customers,” said Elizabeth Pilibosian, chief Envision engineer, in a press release. “Beneath the updated exterior are a number of changes guided by a goal of offering the most refined and pleasant driving experience possible.” One of those customer-guided changes is a stop/start deactivation switch on the instrument panel. This allows the driver to choose whether to use the stop/start function. Small tweaks throughout the vehicle make for a better driver experience: the seat heating system warms up more [...]