More than 50,000 people have already ordered their all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning – are you next?? The truck, which will be available starting in the spring of 2022, was revealed during a livestream on May 19. “For both Ford and the American auto industry, F-150 Lightning represents a defining moment as we progress toward a zero-emissions, digitally connected future,” said Bill Ford, executive chair of Ford Motor Company, in a press release. “F-Series is America’s best-selling truck for 44 years, the backbone of work across the country, and a trusted icon for generations of customers. Now we are revolutionizing it for a new generation.” When building the battery-powered truck, Ford didn’t skimp on any of the traditional truck features. It has 563 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque (the most torque of any F-150 ever), and it’s QUICK – it can go 0 to 60 mph in the mid-4 second range. It has an estimated [...]

Please join us in welcoming Barry Funke to the sales staff at Runde Ford Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Manchester! Barry is from Greeley, Iowa and now lives in Manchester. He previously worked in the trucking and auto detail business. “I’ve been a car guy all my life,” he says. “I have always enjoyed cars and trucks, new and old, and I love meeting new people.” He especially loves classic muscle cars and old pickups of all makes – his favorite being the 1970 LS6 Chevelle SS and 1986-1987 Chevy square body pickups. In his spare time, Barry Funke enjoys racing of all types – Nascar, motocross, sprint cars, dirt late models and mods. “I enjoy going to the races or just watching them on TV,” he says. “I also enjoy [...]

What: Inaugural Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce’s Bacon-N-Hops Festival When: 3-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 Where: Corner of E. Main  and S. Tama St. in Manchester, IA Runde Auto Group is a proud sponsor of the inaugural Bacon-N-Hops Festival on Saturday, Aug. 29 in Manchester, IA! Hosted by the Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce, the event will feature plenty of bacon, Iowa craft and domestic beers, life-size Jenga, a mug-holding contest, bacon-eating contest, car cruise displays, beer brewing demonstrations, life-size beer pong, live music, and more! “It will be a fun time,” said said event chair and chamber administrative assistant Doris Sherman. “You won’t be disappointed and will get a lot for your money.” There will be 15-20 vendors, including Manchester’s Franklin Street Brewing Company and the Delaware County MADCO Brewers, [...]

Robert and Katherine Wick live in Williston, North Dakota, but that didn’t stop them from getting a vehicle from Runde Auto Group. The couple was looking for a 2014 Ford Flex SEL AWD in any color other than red, black, or white, with bucket seats in the second row. “You wouldn’t think that would be too difficult to find, but you’d be surprised,” Katherine said. She searched the Internet and finally found the one she wanted at Runde Ford Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Manchester, IA. With Runde Auto Group’s large inventory of vehicles, we had plenty of options [...]

Runde Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Manchester is hoping for plenty of sunshine after having invested in solar panels. Earlier this week, the dealership was outfitted with solar panels on the roof of the main structure so it’s now running partially on power from the sun. The panels were installed by Blue Sky Solar. “I thought it was really great that Runde’s was so forward-thinking,” said Raki Giannakouros, the vice president of Blue Sky Solar. “I would say that now solar is the hot item in Iowa. I used to call people to try to sell solar and now I’m trying to keep up with the calls.”

I can’t blame anyone for being defensive about car shopping. On one hand you have the typical car salespeople who will manipulate numbers, throw out gimmicks, sell you junk product and outright lie to you. On the  other you have the internet which you had hoped to use as a resource, but you soon find that’s sometimes filled with lots of bad information and data. *SIGH*  Now what would it be like to have someone in the industry that’s on YOUR side?!  That’s me!   Funny thing is, I hate car salespeople. Let me explain, I hate the stereotypical image they have, the gimmicks, the one liners, the tactics, the b.s. (and that doesn’t stand for “bad suits” because most car salespeople don’t even wear suits anymore).  I could have been hired anywhere to sell cars and I chose Runde Auto [...]

There’s a new taxi in town … and it looks a lot like a Ford Transit Connect.  Taxi cabs are a huge part of big city life. Those of us from the Tri-States have probably been, at some point or another, to downtown Chicago (or another big city – if not you should really get out more…). Walking down the sidewalk and glancing at the traffic on big city streets, you probably think “glad I’m not driving in that mess of cars.” Chances are that you have experienced crazy taxi drivers — I know I have.  Several taxi drivers that I’ve witnessed don’t much care for the laws of the road as they almost hit pedestrians.  Since when does a red light mean go anyway?  Just as 30 is the new 20, red must be the new yellow in Metropolis. If you’re thinking about going back to Chicago in the near future, you’d better be [...]

The 2010 Ford Taurus made its debut at the Detroit Auto Show and it was an instant hit.  And this chic design may just be what the doctor ordered to resurrect Ford’s flagship model.   It will be heading to the Chicago Auto Show next and is sure to turn heads. Once upon a time (in 1985), Ford introduced the Taurus and it was immediately ridiculed by some critics who said that it resembled a jelly bean or a flying potato.  Nevertheless, the car’s popularity took off as Americans were eager to buy this mid-sized, unique-looking, front wheel drive car.  For five years straight in the 1990’s this aeronautical spud of a car outsold all other cars on the market as sales were in excess of 400,000 Taurus sedans annually.  During the late 90’s and early 2000’s, Taurus sales steadily declined until they discontinued production of the Taurus altogether in 2006.  Some blame the conservative designing [...]

Chrysler buyers and the American Auto Industry got a shot of adrenalin earlier this week.  Because of the U.S Treasury’s recent move to provide Chrysler Financial with up to $1.5 billion in loan dollars, the lender will now offer 0% financing on select Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge models. Qualified new vehicle buyers can apply for 0% interest for up to 60 months on ’08 and ’09 model-year Jeep Grand Cherokee, Commander, Wrangler, Chrysler Town & Country, 300,  Dodge Grand Caravan, Charger, Magnum, Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram HD, and Challenger. Chrysler vice chairman and president Jim Press had this to say about the announcement, “From both a customer and dealer perspective, it is exciting news that the Treasury Department is providing funding to Chrysler Financial. Now our customers, including those with scores in the 620 range, will be able [...]

Francie Fortman is one of our main car runners from Manchester. He travels to pick up vehicles traded between Runde’s and other dealers.  He also shuttles vehicles from the Manchester Ford location to East Dubuque and Hazel Green, and stops in to pleasantly harass all of us with his contagious smile before he leaves again.  Runde Auto Chat: What is the farthest trip you have taken for a dealer trade? Francie Fortman: Working for Runde’s, I once went 1,100 miles roundtrip to Fargo, North Dakota to trade a Trailblazer for another Trailblazer. I also had to go to Detroit on a couple occasions. RAC: What is the most interesting thing you’ve seen on your trips? FF: The traffic on 494 in Minneapolis at 5:00 pm. (For some of us, it’s the reason we live here instead of the big city!) RAC: What is the best place you’ve eaten while on the road? FF: I try [...]